How to Practice Kangaroo Care for Your Infant: A Comprehensive Guide

Kangaroo Care for infants - involves holding the baby close to your skin and placing it on your chest. This technique helps to keep them warm, provide comfort, and enhance bonding.

This upright holding method mimics a mother kangaroo's pouch, where the caregiver can hold the baby close to them while doing their everyday chores. It has become very popular for newborns and infants as it provides optimal sensory stimulation and security to the baby.

During the 1970s, the Kangaroo Care method became popular in neonatal care units of Bogota, Colombia. It was majorly used for preterm and low-birth-weight babies when access to incubators was limited.

Through this technique, doctors discovered that direct skin contact with premature babies helps them regulate body temperature, feel guarded, and heightens survival instincts. Since then, Kangaroo Care has been adopted globally for its far-reaching benefits to infant health and development.

In this article, you can learn about Kangaroo Care steps, its advantages, and step-by-step procedures for safely practising it.

5 Kangaroo Care Benefits for Newborns

Kangaroo Care has multiple benefits for both the newborn and the caregiver. Some primary benefits of this method are listed below.

1. Regulate heart rate and breathing

The skin-to-skin contact can help regulate a newborn’s heart rate. A stabilized baby’s breathing assists in promoting healthier growth.

2. Promote better sleep and weight gain

Kangaroo Care is a relaxing and calming method that enables babies to sleep restfully and more deeply. This can promote healthy weight gain in babies.

3. Facilitating breastfeeding and milk production

Regular use of Kangaroo Care has helped breastfeeding mothers increase milk production and enhance the chances of successful breastfeeding.

4. Decreasing stress and pain reactions

Being held close to the caregiver’s chest helps soothe babies, reduces their stress and pain responses, which can be caused due to hunger, colic, gas, and mojo reflex in newborns.

5. Building baby-parent bonding

Kangaroo Care promotes a strong emotional and physical bond between the baby and caregiver. This leads to better overall health for both baby and parent.

How to Do Kangaroo Care?

Kangaroo Care is healthy for all newborns, including preterm and full-term babies. The method can be initiated shortly after birth, provided that the baby is medically stable. It is an all-inclusive practice that can be given to newborns by mothers, fathers, or other caregivers.

The constant physical touch in Kangaroo Care not only promotes baby health but also fosters emotional bonding. The technique must be initiated under the supervision of doctors or nurses of the neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) at the hospital for the best benefits and baby’s safety.

The technique can be continued at home after the baby's health has been stabilized and healthcare professionals provide their consent.

Step-By-Step Kangaroo Care Instructions

Kangaroo Care is a simple technique to follow and can be done by any of the caregivers. Following is a step-by-step guide on how to practice Kangaroo Care successfully:

1. Find a calm and comfortable room

To maximize both your and your baby's ability to get the most out of Kangaroo Care, choose a quiet, serene setting. Find a room that is not distracting and where you can concentrate on your baby's needs and optimize the bonding experience.

2. Wear front-opening clothing

For easy access, wear attire that can be opened easily from the front, such as a button-down shirt or an open cardigan. This will allow you to slide off your top clothes without embarrassment, providing the ideal space for skin-to-skin contact.

3. Place your baby on your chest

Place your baby on your bare chest, with their head turned to one side to clear their airway. The baby should be clad in a diaper and snugly held against your skin. Your body warmth will regulate their temperature and soothe them.

4. Wrap both you and your baby in a blanket

To keep your baby and yourself warm, cover both of you with a soft shawl or blanket. This will assist in keeping the baby cozy and will also make them feel secure.

5. Maintain this position for at least 1 hour

It is advisable to keep the Kangaroo Care position for a minimum of one hour. This will give the baby maximum benefits of skin-to-skin contact. Ensure to keep an eye on your baby's comfort and safety for a calm and settled baby during the session.

Effective Kangaroo Care: Do’s and Don’ts

It is indeed necessary to follow the above listed process when practicing Kangaroo Care with your newborn. However, we have listed below some additional tips to ensure maximum health benefit and comfort for your infant.

1. Avoid use of scented products

Do not use scented lotions, perfumes, or deodorants before practicing Kangaroo Care. Infants possess a very sensitive sense of smell, and strong odours can disrupt their bonding experience.

2. Take care of personal needs

Before starting your session, ensure that your personal needs are met, such as eating, drinking, or going to the bathroom. This will help you concentrate solely on your baby without distraction and will keep you away from discomfort.

3. Use supportive pillows

If you feel uneasy, use support pillows to ensure you stay comfortable and in a relaxed position. You can place pillows behind your back or under your arms to reduce strain during the session.

4. Take part in activities to calm baby

Kangaroo Care is a time-consuming process; hence, partake in soothing activities that further encourage parent-child bonding.

These activities include gently singing, speaking, or gazing at your baby with kind eye contact. These simple actions can help strengthen the emotional bond between you and your newborn.

Kangaroo Care: Some Common Concerns

Below are some common concerns that parents and caregivers may have while practicing Kangaroo Care.

1. Feasibility post-C-section

If you have had a cesarean delivery, you might wonder if Kangaroo Care is still an option. The answer is yes! Although it might be a bit more difficult due to the incision, most parents can still enjoy Kangaroo Care with some adjustments.

You may need to get yourself positioned more comfortably, using pillows for added support, and rest if necessary. Always consult your doctor's guidance and pay attention to your body.

2. Infants with medical gear

Parents of infants requiring medical gear, including breathing tubes or IVs, may wonder how Kangaroo Care will be possible. In the majority of instances, Kangaroo Care is still safe to practice when medical gear is in place.

If your infant is in the NICU, medical staff will assist you in positioning your baby securely, so the equipment is not affected.

3. Short sessions remain helpful

Even if you cannot give a whole hour to Kangaroo Care, short sessions remain helpful. The thing is to maximize whatever time you have available and to introduce skin-to-skin contact as much as possible into your daily routine.

Key Takeaways

Kangaroo Care has many advantages for both babies and caregivers. The method promotes healthy development and improves emotional closeness.

Follow the step-by-step guide of instructions listed in this article, and you can initiate practising this invaluable method and creating a caring climate for your newborn.

Always confer with your physician and baby’s pediatrician to determine whether you and your baby are ready for Kangaroo Care.

If you are soon going to be a parent or already have a newborn, you can add Kangaroo Care to your baby’s daily routine for a healthy and happy baby.

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