What is kangaroo care? Kangaroo care is defined as skin to skin contact where baby is placed on their parent’s bare chest in nothing but a diaper, and both parent and baby are covered with a blanket. We have been taught that skin to skin contact of mother and baby is essential for “parent to infant attachment/bonding,” especially directly after birth. It can help facilitate the baby’s first experience with breastfeeding (thus providing the baby with nutrient rich colostrum in the first milk), and assist in the continuation of the mother’s milk production thereafter. These are crucial first steps in the growth and development of the baby, but what other benefits does kangaroo care offer in addition? We know that skin to skin care as a developmental
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Various reasons include but are not limited to: developmental level and readiness, separation of mother and baby being on different units (Postpartum recovery, NICU), and cultural/ethnic beliefs. Whatever the situation, parents need to know that skin to skin contact with their newborn is a progression of acquaintanceship and can be a slow process for some parents; but that it is still essential nonetheless in whatever quantity it is performed. It is especially beneficial in preparation for when the newborn and parents are discharged as it offers a quiet, private environment where the newborn can become accustomed to at home as well (Davidson et. al, pp. 785). Parents should also be aware of the positive physiological benefits kangaroo care poses for their newborn(s). According to a meta-analysis (which combined data from multiple sources researching the benefits of kangaroo care), the benefits of skin to skin care has shown to improve the neonatal viability of all newborns no matter their gestational age or birth weight. The data gathered in the meta-analysis has shown stark reductions in infection (47-49 %), hypothermic (78%) and hyper-thermic (23%) episodes, and fewer fluctuations in vital signs when they are experiencing pain (newborns given skin to skin cried on average 11 seconds less than control group newborns). Kangaroo care has also shown lower respiratory …show more content…
After three hours of labor Kate delivered her daughter and son, and was told that her son did not make it. As you would expect, Kate and David were devastated as they held their still baby boy against their skin together. They talked with him, telling him that he had a twin baby sister and asked him if he could look out for her when all of a sudden something miraculous happened. Their baby boy started to move and breathe. The medical team explained that he would not make it, but the parents continued to hold him against their skin. The twins are alive and well today, turning 5 years old last year. What seemed irreversible became reversible, thanks to skin to skin contact, “It’s what saved his life; we didn’t stop touching them from the moment we got them home because we knew how valuable it was.” (Skin-on-Skin is Life-Saving, 2017) This true story solidified to me how important kangaroo care is. It is protective against a wide variety of adverse neonatal outcomes, prevents many complications associated with preterm/full term birth(s), and has lifesaving potential. When the baby and parent(s) are skin to skin, it promotes regulation of one another’s biology (Heart rate, temperature), thus causing synchronization of parent and child (Skin-on-Skin is Life-Saving, 2017). It is a standard of care that has become increasingly popular and widespread
Various reasons include but are not limited to: developmental level and readiness, separation of mother and baby being on different units (Postpartum recovery, NICU), and cultural/ethnic beliefs. Whatever the situation, parents need to know that skin to skin contact with their newborn is a progression of acquaintanceship and can be a slow process for some parents; but that it is still essential nonetheless in whatever quantity it is performed. It is especially beneficial in preparation for when the newborn and parents are discharged as it offers a quiet, private environment where the newborn can become accustomed to at home as well (Davidson et. al, pp. 785). Parents should also be aware of the positive physiological benefits kangaroo care poses for their newborn(s). According to a meta-analysis (which combined data from multiple sources researching the benefits of kangaroo care), the benefits of skin to skin care has shown to improve the neonatal viability of all newborns no matter their gestational age or birth weight. The data gathered in the meta-analysis has shown stark reductions in infection (47-49 %), hypothermic (78%) and hyper-thermic (23%) episodes, and fewer fluctuations in vital signs when they are experiencing pain (newborns given skin to skin cried on average 11 seconds less than control group newborns). Kangaroo care has also shown lower respiratory …show more content…
After three hours of labor Kate delivered her daughter and son, and was told that her son did not make it. As you would expect, Kate and David were devastated as they held their still baby boy against their skin together. They talked with him, telling him that he had a twin baby sister and asked him if he could look out for her when all of a sudden something miraculous happened. Their baby boy started to move and breathe. The medical team explained that he would not make it, but the parents continued to hold him against their skin. The twins are alive and well today, turning 5 years old last year. What seemed irreversible became reversible, thanks to skin to skin contact, “It’s what saved his life; we didn’t stop touching them from the moment we got them home because we knew how valuable it was.” (Skin-on-Skin is Life-Saving, 2017) This true story solidified to me how important kangaroo care is. It is protective against a wide variety of adverse neonatal outcomes, prevents many complications associated with preterm/full term birth(s), and has lifesaving potential. When the baby and parent(s) are skin to skin, it promotes regulation of one another’s biology (Heart rate, temperature), thus causing synchronization of parent and child (Skin-on-Skin is Life-Saving, 2017). It is a standard of care that has become increasingly popular and widespread