Picture this:
“A baby cosily nestled against the warmth of its parent’s chest, enjoying the skin-to-skin contact, and absorbing all that they find comforting, that is, the parents’ scent, touch, voice, and sound of the heartbeat. This form of intimacy forms the cornerstone of kangaroo care, a technique pioneered in Colombia in the 1970’s to deal with a shortage of neonatal units and incubators for babies. “
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), kangaroo care significantly improves survival and health outcomes for preterm and low birth weight babies, compared to clinical stabilisation in a more ‘high-tech’ incubator or warmer.
The method involves holding the baby’s head upright and close to the parent’s bare chest which allows skin-to-skin contact. The baby wears only a diaper and maybe a cap and socks to stay warm. Kangaroo care can be given throughout the baby’s stay at the hospital and home. Low birth weight (LBW) and premature babies are advised skin-to-skin contact for 8-24 hours a day, starting immediately after birth. For normal babies, the care can be given once or twice a day for at least an hour or as long as it is tolerated by the baby. The longer the baby is held, the better.
What started as a practical solution is now a treasure trove of therapeutic benefits. At its core, kangaroo care forges a lingering bond between the parent and the baby and sets the foundation for healthy physical, emotional, neurological, cognitive, behavioural, and social development.
Benefits of Kangaroo Care
- Physical proximity stimulates the breast and initiates increased milk production thereby improving lactation. Kangaroo care also encourages the baby to latch on better leading to improved nutritional intake and weight gain. This helps in nurturing LBW and preterm babies and increasing their protection against infections.
- Skin-to-skin contact initiates the transfer of beneficial bacteria, antibodies, and other immune-boosting factors. This strengthens the baby’s immune system and lowers the risks of infections and illnesses.
- The warmth of parental skin helps to maintain the infant’s vitals. It regularises body temperature, reduces the risk of hypothermia, and stabilises the heart rate and breathing patterns.
- Contact with the parent’s skin has an analgesic effect that alleviates procedural pain in premature babies.
- Better nutrition, immunity, vital stabilisation, and pain alleviation help the baby get discharged from the hospital sooner.
- Holding the baby close supports healthy sleep patterns. The baby experiences quieter, deeper, and longer sleep cycles.
- Kangaroo care decreases cortisol levels in the baby, reducing stress and promoting a sense of calmness in the baby making them cry less.
- Physical proximity facilitates better brain growth in infants by triggering a cascade of neurochemical responses. Studies reveal that infants who experience kangaroo care show improved cognitive function and enhanced neurobehavioral outcomes.
- The process forges a deep bond between the parent and the baby by fostering feelings of love, security, and attachment and empowers parents with the confidence to care for their baby.
The benefits of kangaroo care extend far beyond the confines of the hospital room. This tender practice serves as a poignant reminder of the power of human touch, the importance of bonding, and the boundless ability of love that defines the parent-child relationship.
-Content partner Happiest Health
