Introduction
One of the most critical elements of kangaroo mother care is exclusive breastfeeding. The first kangaroo mother care facility for low-birth-weight infants opened in Colombia in 1978. However, the mother and child separated in response to the absence of incubators. As a result, Edgar Rey founded kangaroo mother care (KMC) in Bogotá, Colombia. Preterm newborns may be cared for using the kangaroo mother approach.
The technique carries infants while maintaining skin-to-skin contact, typically by the mother. It is designed for medical personnel in charge of providing care for preterm and low birth-weight newborns and is required to deliver excellent kangaroo mother care. In addition, it is designed to be modified to local situations. Kangaroo care involves holding the infant close to the chest. The child will be placed on the chest during each session for up to a couple of hours while wearing only a diaper and cap to promote skin-to-skin contact.
What Is Kangaroo Mother Care?
Kangaroo mother care is a skin-to-skin contact component of the revolution in premature infant care methods. It is defined as constant as close to 24 hours per day as possible skin-to-skin contact between a mother and her infant, which is achieved by placing the baby in an upright position on the mother's chest (kangaroo position). Breast milk is the foundation of nutrition but is not the only source. KMC can begin when the infant is stable and taking oral feeds. For infants in need of special care and those with serious illnesses, KMC can only be started after recovery. Short KMC sessions can be started while recovering while receiving continued medical care (IV fluids, low-concentration oxygen supplementation).
What Are the Parts of Kangaroo Mother Care?
Kangaroo mother care is a three-part, widely accessible, and biologically sound system of care for all newborns, but especially for premature ones:
1) Touching each other's skin.
2) Breastfeeding only.
3) Assistance for the mother-infant pair.
What Is the Technique of Kangaroo Mother Care?
Mothers are required to sit in a chair that is close to the baby's cradle. When the infant is not receiving kangaroo care between her breasts in a vertical or semi-vertical posture, it is placed in the cradle beneath a heat lamp while adequately dressed and covered. Then mothers should remove their blouses and breast band while receiving care. The women wear a particular type of clothing known as a kangaroo bag or kanga carrier shirt that is safe for premature newborns and intended to be worn during the first eight weeks of a full-term baby's life before the baby develops neck control.
The garment is practical since it frees up both of the mother's arms so she can go about her daily activities and move about. The shirt is made of soft cotton and is comfy. Both mother and baby may sleep in the kanga carrier without worrying about turning over on each other, which is comforting for everyone involved and helps everyone get more rest. Newborns were not entirely naked while being cared for by kangaroo mothers. A plush cap and appropriate garments keep the newborn's head warm. Timeframe of KMC is repeated at least three times daily and lasts between one and three hours.
How Does Kangaroo Mother Care Improve Breastfeeding?
Mothers and babies can benefit from kangaroo care in various ways, including better breastfeeding success and higher milk production. Skin-to-skin contact is advised to improve breastfeeding success. The fundamental component of KMC is early, ongoing, and prolonged skin-to-skin contact between the mother and the child. The baby is placed between her mother's breasts on her chest. The infant at KMC is entirely breastfed. The best strategy to improve the milk supply is to breastfeed regularly, especially during the first few hours, days, and weeks. To satisfy the baby's needs, the body will produce milk.
What Are the Breastfeeding Stages?
The primary source of nourishment for an infant is breast milk. The stages of breastfeeding are as follows:
The First Stage of Milk: Colostrum. Colostrum develops during pregnancy and persists for a few days following delivery.
The Second Stage of Milk: This is transitional milk.
The Third Stage of Milk: This is mature milk.
What Are the Benefits of Kangaroo Mother Care?
Utilizing kangaroo mother care is economical and offers numerous benefits to both mother and child. Infant heartbeat is better controlled as a result. KMC infants breathe normally and have stable oxygen levels. Skin-to-skin contact stimulates breast milk production, ensuring the infant receives all its advantages and the correct type of milk for humans. It lessens baby crying.
When a baby is calm, food may be adequately absorbed in the stomach, resulting in a higher growth rate. Compared to an incubator, the baby's temperature stabilizes far more quickly on the mother's chest. KMC enhances newborn perception through hearing the mother's heartbeat, touch, visual contact with breast-feeding mother, and the mother's odor. KMC is administered for at least 30 minutes if mothers cannot tolerate it because of illness or other specific circumstances. Mothers are advised to wash and bathe themselves daily to stop the spread of illness. Mothers should not have any infectious ailments that are spread easily, such as the common cold.
What Are the Disadvantages of Kangaroo Mother Care?
These problems included the following:
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Lack of privacy.
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Crowded and noisy environment.
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Lack of food and supplies.
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Uncomfortable beds.
Conclusion:
Numerous research has proven the benefits of kangaroo mother care (KMC). For example, KMC mothers have improved exclusive breastfeeding right after discharge. In addition, KMC is one of the crucial metrics for monitoring and assessing neonatal intensive care facilities. A skin-to-skin contact element of the revolution in premature newborn care techniques is kangaroo mother care. The baby is placed on the mother's chest in an upright position to create constant skin-to-skin contact between the two for as close to 24 hours a day as feasible (kangaroo position). Nutrition is built on breast milk; however, it is not the only source. As soon as the baby is stable and taking oral feeds, KMC can start.
