Skin-to-skin contact, also known as kangaroo care, is a beautiful practice that offers numerous benefits for both newborns and parents alike. Kangaroo care is the practice of holding your baby to your chest for skin-to-skin contact. Your baby only wears a diaper and possibly socks to keep themselves warm. Resting them against your bare chest provides a special touch experience that can help you and your baby bond.
Kangaroo care starts as soon as you see your baby for the first time after birth in the hospital. How long you hold the baby against your skin depends on you and the baby’s medical needs. Mostly, kangaroo care is practiced by the mother of the child and is known as kangaroo mother care. However, other family members and caregivers can also practice kangaroo care with the newborn baby.
How does Kangaroo care work?
Doctors generally advise long sessions of kangaroo care with the newborn baby, as longer sessions have more benefits. Here are a few things to keep in mind while practicing kangaroo care.
1. Dress comfortably.
2. Place the baby on your chest
3. Cover your baby.
4. Relax together.
5. Plan multiple sessions.
Let's explore five amazing advantages of embracing this intimate bonding experience with your little one:
Promotes Bonding:
Skin-to-skin contact strengthens the emotional bond between parent and baby. The warmth and closeness shared during this time create a sense of security and trust, fostering a deep connection that lays the foundation for a strong parent-child relationship.
Regulates Body Temperature:
During pregnancy, a mother maintains the baby’s temperature by sweating when hot and shivering and moving around when cold. After birth, the baby takes some time to acquire the same abilities in the new environment. Therefore, newborns are highly sensitive to changes in temperature, and skin-to-skin contact helps regulate their body temperature more effectively than an external heat source. The warmth provided by a parent's body helps keep the baby's temperature stable, reducing the risk of hypothermia and promoting overall comfort. Skin-to-skin care by a mother is better than the nursery warmer for a baby.
Enhances Breastfeeding Success:
Skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth has improved breastfeeding initiation and success. The proximity to the mother's breast stimulates the baby's natural feeding instincts, leading to better latch-on and increased milk production. This early breastfeeding experience sets the stage for a positive breastfeeding journey.
Supports Brain Development:
The soothing touch of skin-to-skin contact has a calming effect on newborns, reducing stress hormones and promoting relaxation. This tranquil state enhances brain development by allowing the baby to focus on growing neural connections and processing sensory information without unnecessary distractions.
Boosts Immunity:
The beneficial bacteria found on the mother's skin can transfer to the baby during skin-to-skin contact, helping to establish a healthy microbiome and strengthen the baby's immune system. This natural transfer of microbes contributes to long-term immunity and protection against infections and allergies.
Feeling your baby’s skin and warmth around your warm body allows a special closeness for you both. Monitor your baby during kangaroo care by observing their position, respiratory rate, chest movement, and maintaining a clear airway. Having skin-to-skin contact with your baby has many benefits for both of you. This can facilitate the regulation of temperature, heart rate, and blood sugar levels in your baby. It encourages breastfeeding. The feeling of safety helps your baby feel safe, which in turn reduces some of the crying. In addition, it strengthens the bond between members of the family.
FAQ's
Q. What is kangaroo care or skin-to-skin contact?
Ans.Kangaroo care involves placing your diaper-clad baby directly against your bare chest. This skin-to-skin contact promotes bonding, regulates temperature, and supports physical and emotional well-being for both baby and parent. It's a simple, powerful practice that begins right after birth and benefits the baby’s development significantly.
Q. When should kangaroo care begin?
Ans.Kangaroo care should start immediately after birth, as soon as it's medically safe. Hospitals often encourage this practice in the delivery room or during recovery. Early contact enhances bonding, stabilizes the baby’s vital signs, and supports breastfeeding from the very beginning of the parent-child relationship.
Q. How long should kangaroo care sessions last?
Ans.Doctors recommend long and frequent sessions, typically lasting 60 minutes or more. Extended time improves the effectiveness of bonding, temperature regulation, and breastfeeding. However, the duration should be adjusted based on the baby's and parent’s comfort and medical needs, making it a flexible and beneficial routine.
Q. Who can practice kangaroo care?
Ans.While it's most often practiced by mothers, kangaroo care can also be done by fathers, grandparents, or other caregivers. Any trusted adult can offer skin-to-skin comfort, strengthening emotional bonds and providing the baby with warmth, safety, and calmness through loving physical closeness.
Q. What are the benefits of kangaroo care for the baby?
Ans.Kangaroo care helps regulate body temperature, stabilizes heart rate and breathing, reduces stress, boosts brain development, and enhances immunity. It also supports better sleep patterns and promotes successful breastfeeding by triggering natural feeding instincts in newborns, especially during the early postnatal period.
Q. How does skin-to-skin contact improve breastfeeding?
Ans.Placing the baby close to the mother’s breast during kangaroo care stimulates feeding reflexes. It encourages better latch-on, boosts milk production, and increases the chances of successful long-term breastfeeding. This early contact fosters familiarity, confidence, and comfort during nursing sessions for both mother and baby.
Q. Can kangaroo care help reduce a newborn’s stress?
Ans.Yes, the warmth and heartbeat rhythm from the parent have a calming effect on newborns. Kangaroo care lowers stress hormones and promotes a relaxed state, helping babies feel safe and secure. This relaxation supports brain development and can reduce excessive crying or fussiness.
Q. Is kangaroo care safe for premature babies?
Ans.Kangaroo care is especially beneficial for premature or low-birth-weight infants. It helps regulate vital functions and boosts immunity, often reducing the need for incubators. Always follow medical guidance, as NICU staff will advise on the right time and approach for premature babies.
Q. How do I prepare for a kangaroo care session?
Ans.Wear a front-opening shirt or loose top for easy chest access. Ensure your baby wears only a diaper and socks. Sit comfortably, place your baby upright on your chest, cover both of you with a blanket, and relax. Keep sessions calm, quiet, and consistent for the best results.
Q. How often should kangaroo care be done?
Ans.Multiple daily sessions are ideal, especially in the first few weeks. Frequent contact reinforces bonding, supports breastfeeding, and enhances your baby's health. Even short sessions can be effective if done consistently, making kangaroo care a meaningful part of your daily newborn care routine.
