Kangaroo Care for NICU Babies
Babies born prematurely have extensive need for medical interventions. However, what struck me the most was preterm babies’ responses to skin-to-skin experiences with their mothers. This healing and therapeutic experience are called Kangaroo Care or Kangaroo Mother Care for NICU babies.
Having gone through a NICU experience when my daughter was born has been a frightening journey for our family. Prematurity had not been on my radar when I became a mom, but life has many surprises.
What I loved and looked forward to the most during our stay in the NICU was the Kangaroo Care time.
I remember holding my preemie daughter for the very first time. It was scary because of how fragile she was; simultaneous, it was a beautiful moment. First, the nurses helped me get settled on the recliner. Then, they carefully handed her to me on my chest along with the attached wires on her.
The happiness I felt when she snuggled around me was incomparable. I grasped the reality of her being born at that time. I know, she was born five days ago.
But when we both had that moment together, to be this close with skin-to-skin, I felt blessed – I was her mom. She was mine.
Kangaroo care became our daily mommy-me time. I couldn’t imagine not holding her for a day, and my heart ached when I couldn’t as I lay on my bed at home.
My husband did kangaroo care with our daughter too. When we visited with our son, he was close by gently putting his hand on her arm or back.
We forged our family bond during this difficult NICU time. Our kangaroo care time was sacred to me, to our family.
How and When Kangaroo Care Became part of the NICU Developmental Care
As soon as kangaroo care is initiated, it can help your premature baby tremendously. However, it also depends on when babies are stable enough to be held by mom/dad per every NICU protocol.
Even the tiniest premature babies can benefit from these moments of skin-to-skin contact with their mothers.
Two physician-researchers first developed the kangaroo mother program
in the late 1970s in Columbia. Back then, premature babies died of respiratory issues, infections and had very high death rates.
The moms acted as human incubators and also did exclusive breastfeeding during the study. Conventional incubators were challenging to obtain at that time. Moms who were holding their premature babies most of the day – their babies thrived and survived.
A new clinical trial was conducted among 2944 mothers and 3211 infants (2.2 lbs-3.7 lbs birth weight) with two methods: immediate kangaroo care and conventional care (kangaroo care initiated only after premature infant stabilization). The trial found that those infants who received immediate kangaroo care had an improved survival rate of 25% than infants stabilized before kangaroo care. This study involved four different hospitals in Africa and one hospital in India.
The Benefits of Kangaroo Care for Premature Babies
- Stabilize their vital signs (heart rate, respirations)
- Promote growth and development, such as gaining weight
- Connection with parents.
- Keep the baby warm.
- In deep sleep and more calm wake hours for brain development.
Reasons Why Kangaroo Care Helps Mom Too
- Helps with healing
- Supports breastfeeding
- Lowers stress and anxiety
- Fosters bonding
- Promotes confidence as you care for your premature baby.
What can you expect during Kangaroo Care time?
Talking with the NICU healthcare providers when you can do kangaroo care with your premature baby is essential.
Once everything is determined that your baby can receive kangaroo care, you will be informed by the NICU staff.
The nurses will assist you in getting situated first before they’ll get your baby out of the isolette. Then, the NICU staff will provide a comfortable seat or recliner to you.
Wires and equipment are connected to your baby. It will not get in the way, so don’t worry.
Make sure you take a bathroom trip ahead of time. Eat your meal, and you can pump your milk before doing kangaroo care. Silent your phone or keep distractions out of the way.
Your baby will be placed tummy down on your bare chest. Then a soft receiving blanket will cover your baby’s back to keep warm.
You can hold your baby for an hour or how long you and the baby can tolerate it.
The nurses will check your baby through the monitors, and if sometimes alarms are going off, the nurses will be nearby.
Keep your drink close by and the call light close to your chair if you need help from the NICU staff.
RELATED POST: Helping a Sibling of a NICU Baby Adjust
Kangaroo Time with your Premature Baby
You can stay relaxed while holding your baby. You can talk to your baby quietly or sing.
Tell your baby the story of your family, siblings.
Or you can stay quiet together as your baby sleeps on your chest or listens to your heartbeat closely.
These skin-to-skin care helped premature babies thrive in so many ways. In addition, NICU babies are comforted and feel secure when close to their moms and even dads during kangaroo care.
There may be times that you aren’t around in the NICU; the nurses and even therapists who work with your baby will hold them for the time being.
Knowing these makes your mama heart grateful that someone besides you cares for your baby. But, likewise, you may feel a slight pang of jealousy when you walk into the NICU seeing your baby being held by the NICU staff.
There’s nothing to be ashamed of. You’re the mom of your child. Nevertheless, these feelings are surfacing, maybe accompanying some guilt that you can’t be there 24/7 in the NICU.
Your feelings may be unsettled right now, which is understandable. However, you can speak with the NICU staff about it if it bothers you the most. They’re there to help you and your baby.
Dads can also do kangaroo care. This presents the best opportunity to also bond with baby starting at the hospital.
What if you’re not ready to do Kangaroo Care
Not all moms are ready to do kangaroo care immediately when able. Moms who have experienced traumatic birth or past difficult birth experiences may delay holding their babies.
Some emotions are best-addressed head-on when it comes to these situations. For example, moms are having a hard time connecting with their newborns.
Give yourself some time. Sitting beside your premature baby near the isolette may be enough right now. That’s okay.
Coping with traumatic birth can sometimes pile on a mom’s mental space. Then seeing your premature baby and having a fear of the unknown can be too much to bear.
Talk to your healthcare provider about it. Please don’t bottle it all up inside. Speak with your spouse or trusted friend.
Another alternative to kangaroo care is the hand hug. You can place one hand on the baby’s head and the other hand on the baby’s tummy or chest.
You may hold the baby’s arm or leg with a gentle touch.
It’s natural to be fearful when caring for your premature baby, especially in your baby’s fragile state.
RELATED POST: Tips for a Struggling NICU Mom: Surviving the NICU Life
Giving Kangaroo Care for Premature Babies in the NICU
Holding your baby skin-to-skin is part of caring for your baby.
Both baby and mom will benefit from doing kangaroo care when the opportunity presents. The timing as to when this will happen will also depend on your premature baby’s condition.
However, this isn’t a hindrance to kangaroo care time. There are ways in which you can still touch or hold your baby even if life-saving equipment such as a ventilator is attached.
Being around your premature baby will help with your healing and also boost your confidence as a mom.
Your premature baby knows mama is close by and will feel your loving touch through kangaroo care.
I hope as you go through NICU time, you’ll be able to have the chance to do kangaroo care. Doing so will pave the way to a smooth transition of your premature baby into the world.
Continue kangaroo care time even after babies are discharged from the NICU.
You’ll feel closer and bond with your premature baby at home. You’ll remember that first time you held your baby close to your heart – as you do kangaroo care.
Share your Kangaroo Care story in the comments. How was your experience? Share this post to any mom who has a baby in the NICU.
