Kangaroo Care

Specialized care for the smallest deliveries


The Center for Women and Infants at University Hospital takes a personal approach when it comes to caring for newborn infants and their mothers with Kangaroo Care.

During Kangaroo Care sessions, the baby—dressed only in a diaper and hat—rests against the mother's chest, skin-to-skin. This physical contact promotes bonding and breastfeeding between mother and baby. It provides a warm environment for the newborn baby to transition to the outside world immediately after delivery.

There is no maximum duration for Kangaroo Care; some mothers may keep their babies skin-to-skin for many hours each day. Fathers are encouraged to Kangaroo their newborn baby after the first four hours of life. Kangaroo Care is promoted throughout the hospital stay at University Hospital and is recommended daily once mother and baby are home.

The practice of mother and baby “skin-to-skin” is called Kangaroo Care because it is similar to how a baby joey is carried by the mother kangaroo.

Kangaroo Care is not only good for full-term newborns but for premature babies as well. Babies in the WHAS Crusade for Children Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at University Hospital are held “skin-to-skin” by their mother or father for important medical reasons. Researchers have found that the skin-to-skin contact with the mother can help to stabilize the preterm infant's heartbeat, temperature, and breathing. Preterm infants often have difficulty regulating their breathing and heart rate. Researchers also have found that mothers who use kangaroo care often have more success with breastfeeding and improve their milk supply. Further, researchers have found that preterm infants who experience kangaroo care have longer periods of sleep, gain more weight, decrease their crying, have longer periods of alertness, and earlier hospital discharge.

Retrieved January 15, 2009, from
http://www.uoflhealthcare.org/CenterforWomenandInfants/KangarooCare/tabid/597/Default.aspx