The following first appeared in the Saint Barnabas Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Family Advisory Council Newsletter. Visit the NICU website for previous issues.
Kangaroo Care, also called skin-to-skin care, is a special way for parents to hold their baby against their bare chest. Doing Kangaroo Care has been found to have important benefits for both parents and babies.
Each May, the Saint Barnabas Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit joins other hospitals in celebrating International Kangaroo Care Day by holding a two to four week-long contest. During this time, the nurses and parents that have the most involvement in Kangaroo Care sessions get a prize at the end of the month! This program has been a big success and helps raise staff and parent awareness about skin-to-skin care and its benefits.
Take a look at the information below and talk to your nurse about Kangaroo-ing your baby/babies today.
Did You Know...
…that touching or holding a baby skin-to-skin (Kangaroo Care) is one of the most comforting things parents can
do for their child and no equipment can replace it?
…that Kangaroo Care helps babies have a more stable heartbeat and breathing pattern?
...that babies who are kangarooed have longer times of deep sleep? This is good because babies grow during periods of deep sleep.
…that Kangaroo Care has been shown to decrease the amount of time a baby spends crying?
…that dads can kangaroo too?
…that kangaroo care may help your baby control their temperature?
…that kangaroo care may help your baby gain weight faster?
…that kangaroo care may help your baby do better with breastfeeding?
…that kangaroo care may help you make more breast milk?
…that kangaroo care may help reduce the pain your baby feels during procedures?
…that kangaroo care helps you bond with your baby?