KANGAROO MOTHER CARE: WARMTH OF A MOTHER’S LOVE

New born babies have difficulty in maintaining their body temperature and need external assistance.Low body temperature (skin temperature below 36.5 degree Celsius or 97.7 degree Fahrenheit) can result in poor weight gain, decreased activity, infections and even death. Babies weighing less than 2.5 kilograms are at greatest risk of developing low body temperature. “Kangaroo Mother Care” (popularly called KMC) is a simple, natural, zero-cost techniqueto keep low-birth-weight babies warm. The basic principle is that the baby in kept in constant direct contact with the mother’s skin. The mother’s body acts like a source of heat for the baby. Kangaroo Mother Care promotes breast feeding, improves mother-baby bonding and protects the baby from infections. It is initiated in hospital and continued at home. We have tried to answer some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) by mothers- related to Kangaroo Mother Care.

1. What is Kangaroo Mother Care?

It is a technique of caring for low birth weight babies.When you provide KMC, your baby is kept in skin-to-skin contact for a prolonged period by placing him/her on your chest.

2. Which babies benefit the most from Kangaroo mother care?

Babies weighing below 2.5 kilograms at birth, who are highest risk of developing a low body temperature, benefit the most from Kangaroo Mother Care.Ideally, it should be initiated in hospitalunder the supervision of trained nursing staff and then continued at home. Once you know the technique, it is actually very simple, and you can practice it by yourself.

3. How is Kangaroo Mother Care done?

First wash your hands. Wear a loose front-open dress, such as nighty,and also make your baby wear a front open dress. Then place your baby on your chest in between your breasts as shown in the picture, so that you and your baby’s chest are in direct contact. Position your baby’s hands and feet properly as shown. Cover your baby’s head with a cap. Button upthe front of your dress over your baby and tie a cloth (such as a dupatta) around your abdomen, below your baby, so that s/he does not slip down. Your baby’s neck should not be too stretched or compressed. His/her colour should be pink; you should be able to feel your baby breathing normally; and his/her hands and feet should be warm and covered. Allow your baby to feed from either breast frequently. 

4. How long can I provide Kangaroo Mother Care?

There is no upper limit to the duration for which Kangaroo Mother Care can be provided continuously. It should be started initially in sessions of at least more than one hour and then gradually increased in duration.

2. How do I know whether my baby’s temperature is maintained?

When you provide Kangaroo Mother Care, the warmth from your body is directly transmitted to your baby and his/her temperature is well maintained. So you need not worry about your baby’s temperature and there is no need to check the temperature frequently. Improvement in your baby’s activity, good acceptance of breast feeds and adequate weight gain (at least 150 to 200 grams per week for a premature baby) is reassuring.

3. Can other family members also provide Kangaroo Mother Care?

Any adult member in the family can provide Kangaroo Mother Care.We advise fathers and grandmothers to also do KMC (you can call it “Kangaroo Father Care” if your husband needs some coaxing). This gives the mother time to take rest and do other activities. This also involves the whole family in the care of the newborn baby and improves family bonding.

4. Can I provide Kangaroo Mother Care while doing other activities?

Yes, you can provide Kangaroo Mother Care whilst you do other activities, such as taking rest and doing household work. While taking rest, you can position yourself so that you are slightly inclined. You can even sleep while doing Kangaroo Mother Care (but not if you are in the habit of rolling over!).

5. What are the benefits of Kangaroo Mother Care for my baby?

Kangaroo mother care maintains your baby’s temperature in any weather; it promotes breast feeding; it protects your baby from infections and results in better weight gain. In hospitalized babies, it has been shown that those babies who receive Kangaroo Mother Care are discharged earlier.

6. Till when should I provide Kangaroo Mother Care?

You should provide Kangaroo Mother Care until your baby crosses the weight of 2.5 kilograms. After this, your baby will become active and try to wriggle out (remember- not hop out). And that’s where the similarity with kangaroos ends!

 

Dr Bikramjit Das and

Prof Sourabh Dutta,

Newborn Unit,

Department of Pediatrics,

PGIMER