What is Kangaroo Care?

Kangaroo Care is a practice that originated in Colombia in the late 1970s that has been adopted worldwide because of the advantages for premature babies. Kangaroo Care means holding a NICU baby skin-to-skin (against the parent's chest) for varying lengths of time. Premature and sick babies that "kangaroo" appear to relax and become content. Numerous studies have shown that Kangaroo Care has many health benefits that include the following:

• higher blood oxygen levels
• improved sleep
• improved breastfeeding
• improved weight gain

Kangaroo Care also helps parents feel close to their baby, and gives them confidence in their ability to meet their baby's needs. Mothers who "kangaroo" also show improved breast milk production.

Resource:

Special Care.  (2006).  Children's Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian.  Retrieved June 6, 2006, from <http://www.childrensnyp.org/>.