Kangaroo Care

What is Kangaroo Care?

Parents benefits

Babies benefits

How Do I Kangaroo My Baby?

What is Kangaroo Care?

The term “Kangaroo Care” refers to a baby being held skin-to-skin by his/her parent, similar to the way kangaroos and other marsupials hold their young. The baby is kept warm by the warmth of the parent’s body. Both babies and parents benefit from the physical closeness kangaroo care provides. It was developed in Bogota, Colombia, and has been used successfully in South America, Europe, and now the U.S.

Parents benefits:

• Closer bonding to your baby/babies
• Nursing mothers who kangaroo often find they produce more milk
• Diapering, dressing, and bathing

Babies benefit:

• They sleep more deeply
• Gain weight faster
• Oxygen needs often decrease while kangarooing with parents
• They are less stressed by the noise and activity around them
• A parent’s body keeps baby warm, letting him or her conserve energy and grow
• Many babies make their first breast feeding attempts while kangarooing with mom!

How Do I Kangaroo My Baby?

Some babies may not be good candidates for kangaroo care. It is important to talk with your baby’s doctor of nurse to see if your baby is able to kangarooed.

If possible, your baby’s nurse will help position your baby (dressed only in a diaper) against your bare chest (it helps to wear a button-front shirt).

The baby’s back is covered by your clothing or a blanket, and any medical devices such as IV tubing, monitor leads or oxygen tubing are secured to your clothing. The sound of your heartbeat and the rhythm of your own breathing will quickly lull your baby into a deep sleep.

Please plan to kangarooing for at least one hour to ensure a period of deepest sleep for your baby.

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Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

2401 University Ave.

Muncie, IN 47303

(765) 747-3370