Kangaroo Mother Care: Benefits of Skin-to-Skin Contact

Kangaroo care, is a method of baby care, where premature babies are held on mothers breast, facing their moms, based on breast feeding and establishing and maintaining the bond between mother and baby. 

 

One of the most risky things about premature babies are irregular respiration and being chocked. It is established that, kangaroo care decreases breathlessness 4 times, regulates respiration and hearth beats, eliminates the need for oxygen support by 50 percent. 

 

Regulation of heat is another important issue in premature babies. It is discovered that mother's body contact is the best heat regulator. Mother's body heat increases when the baby's body heat decreases or vice versa and this secures baby's body heat. 

 

Also, according to some research, the babies having skin contact with their mother for 50 minutes in a day, nurse in 8 times more. Skin contact ensures more milk production and baby reaches mother's breast easier. 

 

Premature babies receiving kangaroo care stay in intensive care unit fifty percent shorter than normal. According to the results of these researches, the most important life support for the baby is his/her mother's warm arms and love.

 

It is much more easier to take care of a calm and unstressed baby. And this relaxes the mother. Kangaroo care has advantages for nursing as well. It helps to increase milk. Mother bounds to her baby better and easier , thus providing her baby a better care.