Kangaroo Care & Other Tips for Premature Baby Care

You may have never heard the term kangaroo care, but in the world of premature baby care its philosophy is genius, and yet so simple.

If you’re in the NICU with your baby who was born prematurely; I know it’s scary, he’s so tiny and looks so fragile. There are nurses and doctors tending to him; you wanted that to be your job; it still is.

Your baby has only one mother, only one person who was attached to him, provided his nourishment, fell in love with him growing inside. I know you feel helpless, but please don't because there is so much you can do for him.

Breastmilk - a.k.a. Liquid Gold

First and foremost, provide your baby with your breastmilk. Even if your baby is not able to nurse directly from the breasat due to being moderately or extremely premature, take heart, your body is busy making the single most important medicine for your baby, it’s called Liquid Gold, aka breastmilk.

You will be encouraged to pump your breastmilk, this is on of the best things you can do for your little one right now. If you need help, more information, or encouragement from an experienced breastfeeding mother, please contact La Leche League International, they will be able to put you in contact with a La Leche League Leader who may be right in your community.

Get to know your baby with touch therapy

Next, spend as much time as you can in the nursery getting to know your baby. No, this is not how you imagined it; no one does. Become the best parents you can right next to your baby’s bedside.

If you can, begin touch therapy with your baby. Very tiny preemies will not tolerate much stimulation, so touch therapy may be a ways off; your baby’s doctors and nurses will be able to give you information on this. Older preemies crave gentle touch. Caress her, or lay your hand on her gently; you can even talk or sing quietly.

Dr. Sears wrote a great book called The Premature Baby Book. He covers premature baby care extensively, and I highly recommend it. He has written a full library of books on babies, children and parenting and is a definite parenting guru! 

Kangaroo Care - A womb outside the body.

Kangaroo care has been around since the 1980’s. Two neonatologists in Bogota, Columbia, were unable to afford equipment to care for their preemie patients so decided to use what they had available, the mothers. Genius!

Mothers were instructed to hold their babies skin-to-skin, between their breasts 24 hours a day, sleep with them, and allow them to suckle at will. The results were outstanding; many more preemies survived and thrived!

Kangarooed preemies:

• Grow better

• Have a more stable body temperature

• Breath better

• Cry less

• Leave the hospital sooner

Kangaroo moms:

• Deliver more milk

• Are more confident

• Experience less depression

• Bond better with their babies

Kangaroo care was given its name from how a kangaroo cares for her baby joey. She carries him in a pouch outside her body, like a second womb, where he is protected, warm and nourished.

For human mothers wanting to become kangaroos – no hopping please, this is how kangaroo care is practiced.

Typically, babe is dressed only in a diaper and hat and laid on mom’s bare chest between her breasts covered with a blanket. Baby can also be laid on dad's bare chest.

How much time to spend in kangaroo care can be talked about with your baby’s care provider. Each preemie will have different stimulation periods they can tolerate.

Each NICU has its own policy on kangaroo care, but you can usually begin when your baby is off the ventilator. Communicate openly with your baby’s doctors and nurses; let them know your desires. They are in this field for a reason; they love babies.