View Good Morning America interview with Marie Field, R.N. on Kangaroo Care
WHAT IS KANGAROO CARE?
Kangaroo Care is the practice of giving infants skin-to-skin contact with their parents, enabling them to share warmth and natural closeness. It was developed in Bogota, Colombia, and has been used successfully in South America, Europe, and now the U.S.
WHY KANGAROO CARE?
NICU parents face many barriers that separate them from their premature infants -- including their infant's fragility and acute care needs, the plastic walls of their baby's isolette, a variety of caretakers, and the connection to high technology. Kangaroo Care provides parents with an opportunity to ease the ache of separation and lessen these barriers.
WHAT ARE ITS BENEFITS?
Kangaroo Care has been shown to help premature infants grow, leave their isolettes sooner, and achieve deeper, more restful sleep. Researchers have found that breastfeeding mothers who practice Kangaroo Care produce more milk. A number of studies also have shown that parents who routinely provide this care are more comfortable caring for their infant and taking them home when they are ready for discharge.
HOW IS KANGAROO CARE PROVIDED?
Parents sit in comfortable recliners next to their infant's isolette and are advised to wear a loose-fitting top. The baby is dressed in a hat and diaper and placed on the parent's chest. Kangaroo Care visits usually correspond to feeding times, and are offered in a dimly lit, quiet environment with screens for added privacy. Both mothers and fathers may provide Kangaroo Care.
HOW WILL MY BABY REACT?
Your baby's reaction to Kangaroo Care may vary from visit to visit. Once in your arms and resting on your chest, your baby may fall asleep or remain awake. Nurses in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit will help you to understand your baby's behavior and responses. Understanding your infant's behavior and responses will allow you and your infant the most benefit from Kangaroo Care.
WHY DOES BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL OFFER KANGAROO CARE?
As care providers to both you and your baby, the NICU staff is dedicated to meeting your needs as parents. We believe that Kangaroo Care offers you an opportunity to support your parenting experience in the often stressful environment of the NICU. Kangaroo Care is an intervention that is special to your role as mother or father. Kangaroo Care has been found to relieve the feeling of separation experienced by some parents with infants in the NICU.
WHEN CAN I START KANGAROO CARE VISITS WITH MY BABY?
The nurses and physicians of the NICU have developed criteria for initiating and offering this program. Your primary care team will work with you to decide the appropriate time to begin these special visits.
A PARENT'S PERSPECTIVE
"We feel Kangaroo Care has helped us deal with not being able to bring our baby home and with the sometimes frightening realities of life in the NICU. Seeing how happy the baby looks during our visits has given us the feeling that we are in some way contributing to his care. One of the hardest things about the NICU is the helplessness you sometimes feel as a parent. The care and well-being of your child is totally out of your control. Being involved with Kangaroo Care allows us to do something positive to help our baby grow and get healthy." - A BWH NICU Parent, April '91
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