By Hussain
Kangaroo care is a technique or method of caring for newborns, especially those who are born underweight.
Who is eligible to have Kangaroo Care?
The best person to care for kangaroos is the mother. Any other person, preferably the father or a near family member will take over the role of kangaroo caretaker from the mother.
When should you begin?
Kangaroo care, also known as skin-to-skin touch, should preferably begin soon after the baby is born and continue during the postpartum period.
What should the Kangaroo Care period be?
Kangaroo care/skin-to-skin touch should be begun for a shorter period of time at first. It can be provided for as long as the mother is happy and confident, particularly in low birth weight babies.
Kangaroo Care is a method for caring for kangaroos:
For easier breathing and to maintain eye contact with the mother, the baby should be positioned upright between the mother’s breasts with the baby’s head on one side. The baby’s belly or tummy should be positioned on top of the mother’s upper abdomen, with arms and legs folded. Supporting the baby with a sling/binder or kangaroo bag is also an option.
Skin-to-skin touch and kangaroo treatment benefits
Kangaroo Care is most often used for premature or low-birth-weight infants. Full-term or normal-weight infants, on the other hand, reap the many advantages of skin-to-skin touch.
The following are some of the main advantages of skin-to-skin contact:
Babies are said to have better relationships with their parents. Skin-to-skin touch promotes brain growth and emotional intelligence. Breastfeeding, which is good for both the mother and the baby and is the foundation for the baby’s nutrition and growth, is also encouraged by skin-to-skin care. It is preferable to maintain body temperature, particularly for low birth weight babies and during the winter season. Babies gain weight more quickly, spend more time in deep sleep, are quieter when awake, and scream less.
Fathers, like mothers, can make skin-to-skin contact with their children. One of the most significant advantages for fathers is that they will be encouraged to provide for their children and will no longer feel powerless. This improves bonding, and the father can be proud of his position as an active member of the central care team. It will also assist fathers in deciphering the baby’s hunger and stress signals. While the father is providing kangaroo care, the mother can relax and prepare for the next round of care
As a result, skin-to-skin contact helps babies to stabilize and develop physically and mentally. They feel safe and secure, so they can devote all of their energy to growing. As a result, the WHO and healthcare practitioners advise that all babies be given kangaroo treatment.