Postpartum Care: Kangaroo Care
Promoting bonding through skin-to-skin
Kangaroo Care (KC) – also known as skin-to-skin contact (SSC) – is a simple yet highly effective, low-cost intervention for newborn care, particularly benefiting preterm and low-birth-weight infants. KC, which also helps reduce newborn deaths, involves placing the baby, wearing only a diaper, against the bare chest of a parent or caregiver, providing warmth, security, and essential physiological support. This intimate practice has been shown to regulate the baby’s temperature, heart rate, and breathing, promote breastfeeding, and reduce the risk of infections and complications associated with prematurity.
Scaling up Kangaroo Care requires strong leadership and commitment at the local government level. By integrating KC into health policies, training healthcare providers, and improving infrastructure, governments can make this lifesaving practice widely accessible and sustainable for vulnerable newborns. Community engagement also plays a crucial role in educating families and encouraging early adoption of KC practices. Investing in Kangaroo Care programs not only improves neonatal health outcomes but also reduces healthcare costs by decreasing the need for prolonged hospital stays and intensive care.
This section provides practical guidance for implementing and scaling Kangaroo Care within local health systems, ensuring that every newborn – regardless of birth weight or gestational age – gets the best possible start in life.
What Are the Benefits of Kangaroo Care?
How to Implement
1. Integrate Kangaroo Care into Health Policies
- Ensure KC is incorporated into national and local maternal and child health strategies.
- Align KC implementation with global neonatal care standards to improve newborn survival rates.
2. Train Healthcare Workers on KC Techniques
- Train midwives, nurses, and community health workers on the proper techniques, benefits, and monitoring of KC.
- Conduct continuous education and refresher courses to maintain high-quality KC practices.
3. Develop Infrastructure to Support KC
- Establish KC-friendly spaces in hospitals, clinics, and community health centers, ensuring privacy, comfort, and a supportive environment.
- Provide furniture and supplies such as recliners, wraps, and warm blankets for parents practicing KC.
4. Engage the Community to Promote KC Awareness
- Conduct community outreach and education programs to inform parents and caregivers about the importance of KC.
- Work with community health workers (CHWs) and peer educators to encourage early adoption of KC at the household level.
5.Strengthen Partnerships and Secure Funding
6. Educate and Support Parents on Kangaroo Care
- Introduce KC during antenatal care and reinforce education after childbirth.
- Explain the benefits and process of KC, obtaining parental consent and commitment.
- Provide emotional support and reassurance, addressing any concerns or misconceptions.
7. Proper Positioning and Securing the Baby
- Place the baby on the parent’s bare chest, ensuring:
- The baby wears only a diaper.
- The head is turned to the side with the airway open.
- Secure the baby with a wrap or blanket, ensuring a snug and warm fit for continuous contact.
8. Encourage Extended Duration of KC
- For maximum benefits, encourage KC for at least 18 hours a day, gradually increasing the duration as tolerated.
- Begin with at least one hour at a time, aiming for continuous KC, only interrupting for essential care.
9. Support Breastfeeding and Feeding Practices
- Assist caregivers in feeding the baby with expressed breast milk or direct breastfeeding if the sucking reflex is developed.
- Ensure proper positioning and latch to promote successful breastfeeding during KC.
10. Monitor Baby’s Condition and Provide Ongoing Support
- Regularly check the baby’s vital signs, including:
- Heart rate, breathing, and temperature to detect any signs of distress.
- Encourage and support parents, answering their questions and addressing concerns throughout the KC process.
Key Indicators
- Percentage of eligible infants receiving KC.
- Duration of KC – monitor the average duration of KC sessions.
- Exclusive breastfeeding rates.
- Infant weight gain.
- Neonatal mortality rates.
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Tips
- Advocate for Policy Support: Work with policymakers to ensure regulatory backing and funding.
- Engage Local Healthcare Facilities: Partner with hospitals and clinics to create KC implementation guidelines.
- Encourage Family Participation: Educate families on the benefits and practical aspects of KC during antenatal care and beyond.
- Monitor and Evaluate: Use data-driven approaches to track progress and improve services.
- Leverage Media and Technology: Utilize digital campaigns, social media, and mobile health apps to promote KC awareness.
Challenges
- Staff Training and Attitudes: Adequate training and positive attitudes among healthcare staff are essential for successful implementation.
- Resource Constraints: Limited resources, such as space and staffing, can pose challenges.
- Cultural Beliefs and Practices: Cultural beliefs and practices may sometimes pose barriers to KC.
- Infant's Medical Condition: Some infants may be too unstable to initiate KC immediately after birth.
- Parental Concerns: Parents may have concerns about infection risk, difficulty with positioning, or their own comfort.
Key Resources
- Kangaroo Mother Care: Implementation guide USAID Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program 2012
- Kangaroo Mother Care: A practical guide. WHO 2003
- Kangaroo Mother Care: A transformative innovation in health care. WHO 2023
- Kangaroo Mother Care: Implementation strategy for scale-up adaptable to different country contexts. WHO 2023
- Recommendations for care of the preterm or low-birth-weight infant. WHO 2022