BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF KANGAROO CARE The beneficial effects of KMC in relation to breastfeeding cannot be over emphasized. It has been reported that even limited periods of KMC not only result in an increase in the number of infants who were breastfeeding on discharge from hospital but also promotes feeding for longer durations at home. Mothers who practiced KMC regularly have experienced enhanced lactation. The success in breastfeeding has been observed even in very preterm infants with an increasing ability to suck as early as 29 post-menstrual weeks and exclusive breastfeeding seen at 32 weeks of post-menstrual age. We can conclude that KMC can support breastfeeding competency and facilitate early discharge rates. This practice was proven in an RCT by Charpak et al to shorten the neonatal hospital stay without compromising survival, growth or development. It is well known that the birth of a preterm infant
is a stressful event to parents. There is growing body of evidence to suggest the benefits of KMC extending to the family unit as a whole. It is associated with improved outcomes in complications associated with depression and maternal eclampsia. Practicing KMC enables parents to come to terms with the stress of a preterm birth and improves interaction with the infant. Parents feel closer to their infants and feel more competent in their care, although some parents experienced initial anxiety when providing KMC for their ventilated infant. Mothers who
«For certain infants, safety concerns and the reluctance of medical staff and families to initiate or participate in KMC were identified as major barriers in practice»
practiced KMC for at least an hour over a 2-week period felt less stressed and perceived their preterm infants as being less difficult to care for when compared to mothers whose infants received standard neonatal care. Its continuance post- discharge also creates an optimal home environment when practiced by both parents for prolonged periods. Thus KMC is a practice that involves both parents and has the potential to strengthen familial ties and create healthy relationships. This concept has evolved from the original method, which named the mother as its sole practitioner. Officially however, only Sweden, Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands have written policies that equally involve both parents in KMC.
POTENTIAL BARRIERS TO IMPLEMENTATION OF KANGAROO CARE Neonatal nursing tends to be focused on providing complex medical care, which may delay bonding between parents
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