Kangaroo Mother Care: A Simple Technique That Improves Survival in Preemies
How Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) Works
Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is a very effective and evidence-based intervention that involves a mother (or caretaker) staying close to her newborn baby through skin-to-skin contact. The technique is especially helpful for babies who were born early or with low birth weight. This method is easy, doesn’t cost much, and has big effects: it increases the chances of newborns surviving, keeps their bodies stable, and helps mothers bond with their babies.
Why babies born before their due dates need extra care
Giving birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy is called preterm birth, and it affects well over 15 million babies around the world every year. Complications from prematurity are the main reason kids under five die. Kangaroo Mother Care can help these babies, who are fragile, with things like keeping their body temperature stable, breathing, immunity, and eating.
Important Parts of Kangaroo Mother Care
Kangaroo Mother Care is more than just getting close to a baby. The foundation of Kangaroo Mother Care lies in three key areas:
Skin-to-skin contact: The caretaker places the baby upright on his or her chest, which helps maintain the baby’s body temperature and encourages physical stability.
Only breastfeeding: Supporting and encouraging natural feeding improves nutrients and immunity.
Early release and close follow-up: Families receive the resources they need to continue care at home, which reduces the workload in neonatal intensive care units.
Scientific Proof That KMC Works for Preemies
Large-scale research projects by WHO, UNICEF, and global newborn research centers show that KMC significantly
Lowers the death rate for newborns by up to 40%
Lessens the risk of serious illnesses and sepsis
Helps people gain weight and nurse more often
Improves the emotional link and bonding between parents and babies
A 2023 meta-analysis published in The Lancet found that KMC was linked to a 36% drop in neonatal mortality among babies born before their due dates who were stable. The effects were seen even when KMC was only used for a few hours a day.
The best thing about kangaroo mother care is that it keeps you warm.
Babies born before they’re due don’t have enough body fat, so they can get cold. Skin-to-skin touch keeps the baby’s temperature stable by mimicking the warmth of the womb. Often, this means that incubators are not needed.
Length of Care
If possible, it’s beneficial to perform KMC continuously (24/7), even if it’s only for one to two hours a day. Sessions should be as long and as often as possible, and they should get longer as time goes on.
KMC in a hospital setting vs., at home
KMC should be a part of newborn care units in hospitals, especially in places where access to incubators is limited. Healthcare workers should teach parents about KMC and give them the power to start it as soon as the baby is stable. Healthcare workers must teach parents how to safely use KMC at home, including how to watch for danger signs, feed cues, and maintain clean habits. It’s critical to do regular follow-ups and home calls.
KMC and the Part of Fathers and Other Family Troops
Kangaroo care is not just for moms, despite what most people think. Skin-to-skin care can be given by fathers, grandparents, or even older brothers. Including the family makes the caregiver’s job easier, improves family ties, and makes sure that care continues as planned.
WHO Guidelines on How to Care for a Kangaroo Mother
Here’s what the World Health Organization says: For all babies born before their due date or with a low birth weight (<2500g), KMC Starting KMC as soon as possible after birth, even before the baby is fully stable KMC to continue at home after release, with help from the community These principles come from decades of clinical trials and examples of how they worked well in over 90 countries. Great KMC stories from all over the world
In Colombia, where KMC began in 1978, the death rate for babies born before their due dates dropped by a huge amount. KMC has saved the lives of tens of thousands of newborn babies every year in India, Ethiopia, and Bangladesh, where it is widely used in public health programs. Healthcare systems in Europe and North America are now using KMC, even in NICUs with many resources, because it helps babies and their families emotionally as well as medically.
Adopting a Simple Practice That Can Change Your Life
Kangaroo Mother Care is more than just a medical measure. It is a kind, people-centered way of caring for newborns. It combines the scientific method with the healing power of touch, giving families more power and saving lives. As we work to make global health care more fair, KMC provides a long-lasting, low-cost, high-impact answer that every baby deserves.
Better results with breastfeeding
KMC supports breastfeeding exclusively, which is crucial for a baby’s health and growth. Babies who are held close to their mothers’ skin are more likely to be able to latch on and keep up a regular eating schedule.
Better stability in the heart and lungs
Close contact with the baby helps keep their heart rate, breathing rate, and oxygen saturation stable. This makes apnea events much less common and the need for extra oxygen much less common.
Less chance of getting infections
Hospital-acquired diseases are less likely to happen when people get skin-to-skin care. The bacteria on the skin of the caretaker helps the baby’s healthy colonization, which makes the baby’s natural defenses stronger.
Faster growth and weight gain
Babies born before they’re due who get KMC gain weight faster because their bodies can control their temperature better, they eat more often, and they are less stressed.
Benefits for your mind and emotions
KMC helps parents and babies feel very close to each other. This bonding lowers moms’ anxiety, boosts their confidence in their ability to care for others, and has beneficial long-term effects on the mental health of both mom and kid.
Learn how to perform kangaroo mother care by following these steps:
Getting ready
Pick a place that is private, quiet, and warm. Make sure the baby and the person caring for them are both clean and dressed easily (the baby should only be in a diaper). To stay healthy, wash your hands well.
Putting the baby down
Hold the baby up straight between the mother’s or father’s breasts. The neck should be slightly stretched out, and the head should be turned to one side. To keep a normal posture, your arms and legs should be positioned like those of a frog.
Making sure the job is secure
Hold the baby close to your chest with a wrap or band. Make sure the baby can breathe and that you can always see their face.
FAQ
- What does Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) mean?
Answer: Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is a way to care for babies who were born early or with low birth weight by keeping them skin-to-skin with a caregiver, usually the mother, and only nursing. It’s a good, low-cost alternative to incubator care that helps babies stay warm, bond, and grow. It’s especially helpful in places with few resources. - How does Kangaroo Mother Care help babies born before they’re due to live longer?
Answer: KMC makes it easier to survive by Keeping the baby’s temperature in check, chekeepingeck,,,eping the breathing and heart rate steady lowering the chance of getting illnesses Getting more weight and feeding Getting moms and babies to bond Studies have indicated that KMC can lower the death rate of young babies by up to 40% compared to standard care. - When does Kangaroo Mother Care begin?
Answer: KMC should begin as soon as possible, ideally as soon as the baby is safe after birth. According to WHO rules, a doctor can supervise KMC before full stabilization. The better it is for the baby’s health and growth, the earlier it starts. - Can dads or other family members care for a kangaroo mother?
Kangaroo care can be done by dads and other family members as well. Mothers typically engage in skin-to-skin contact, but any physically fit caretaker can also participate. Sharing care makes family bonds stronger and makes the main helper less stressed. - Is it safe to do Kangaroo Mother Care at home?
Yes, you can perform Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) at home, provided the caregivers receive proper training. Parents can continue KMC at home after their child leaves the hospital, with regular checkups and help from health workers. They should keep an eye on the baby’s temperature, eating, and weight gain and look out for any red flags like fevers or trouble breathing.