Kangaroo Care Initiated Immediately After Birth Can Be Life-Saving

Eleven years ago, I welcomed my tiny daughter into the world—a mere two pounds and born nine weeks premature, she arrived in a state of distress. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to hold her right away; it took several days before I could embrace her. Although the NICU team was eager to begin kangaroo care, the guidelines of that time dictated that it could only commence once she was stable.

However, this practice may be on the verge of transformation. A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine highlights that initiating kangaroo care immediately after birth, rather than waiting for the baby’s stabilization, “significantly enhances survival rates” for preterm or low birthweight infants. This adjustment could potentially save an additional 150,000 lives annually.

“When initiated as quickly as possible, kangaroo mother care can save more lives, enhance health outcomes for infants, and ensure the mother remains close to her ailing child,” stated Dr. Alex Johnson, Head of the Neonatal Unit at WHO and a key contributor to the research.

Understanding Kangaroo Care

Kangaroo care involves holding your baby skin-to-skin against your chest. Typically, the infant is dressed only in a diaper and placed directly on your bare skin, often covered by a blanket—hence the term “kangaroo.”

Both parents can engage in this practice. It’s recommended that they dedicate at least 60 minutes per session, avoid strong scents, and, importantly, set aside their phones. For NICU parents, kangaroo care not only provides a means of bonding but also offers a sense of empowerment during a time when helplessness can often prevail.

Emotional and Physical Benefits of Kangaroo Care

Kangaroo care serves as an essential bonding strategy for new parents and their babies, alongside offering numerous physical benefits. According to the Cleveland Clinic, these advantages include improved breathing patterns, increased oxygen saturation levels, and stabilized heart rates. Additionally, skin-to-skin contact can enhance sleep, promote weight gain, reduce crying, and support breastfeeding. This is largely due to the way skin-to-skin interaction helps regulate the baby’s temperature and conserves energy—vital components for their growth.

Long-term studies have even indicated that the benefits of kangaroo care can extend well beyond infancy. One study from 2016 revealed that this practice has “significant, enduring social and behavioral effects” lasting up to twenty years.

Advantages for Parents

When my daughter was in the NICU, I devoted countless hours to kangaroo care. The immediate impact on my well-being was profound; I felt more at ease, and my stress levels seemed to decrease. While some benefits may be subjective, research has substantiated that parents also gain from kangaroo care. The Cleveland Clinic notes that it can foster bonding, increase breastfeeding success, bolster confidence, and enhance overall feelings of control.

New Research Highlights Life-Saving Potential of Immediate Kangaroo Care

A study involving approximately 3,200 infants, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has underscored the importance of timely kangaroo care. Half of the participants received immediate skin-to-skin contact for about 17 hours daily over the first three days, while the other half began after stabilization, with just 1.5 hours of contact per day. The study was concluded early due to the clear advantages observed with immediate care.

The findings were striking. Kangaroo care reduced mortality rates among infants weighing less than 2.0 kg at birth by 40 percent, with immediate care yielding an additional 25 percent reduction. This means that approximately 150,000 lives could be saved. In addition to saving lives, immediate kangaroo care also diminished instances of infections and hypothermia in vulnerable infants and offered more opportunities for breastfeeding.

Potential for Transforming NICU Practices

Given these promising outcomes, the WHO is contemplating revisions to existing kangaroo care recommendations. To implement immediate kangaroo care effectively, however, coordination between obstetric and neonatal departments is essential, especially if the mother requires ongoing care after delivery. One proposed solution is the establishment of mother-newborn ICUs, already functional in some regions.

Dr. Lisa Green, a specialist from the Global Health Institute, advocates for this approach, affirming, “The most effective way to nurture low birth weight infants, even in high-income countries, is through continuous skin-to-skin contact in units designed for both mother and newborn care.”

Immediate kangaroo care is undoubtedly life-saving, and making it accessible for all NICU families is certainly worth pursuing. For those interested in more information about home insemination, check out this related blog post here.

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In summary, immediate kangaroo care shows immense promise in improving survival rates and health outcomes for fragile newborns. By fostering early skin-to-skin contact, we not only enhance the well-being of infants but also empower parents during a challenging time.