Have you ever seen a baby kangaroo crawl into its mother’s pouch? Every time I come across that image, it brings a sense of warmth and safety. That is the inspiration behind kangaroo care—a gentle and powerful method that involves holding your newborn baby close to your chest, offering warmth, comfort, and security.
Kangaroo care is a proven method of skin to skin contact between a caregiver—most often the mother—and a new born baby. It mirrors the natural nurturing approach of kangaroos and has been recognized globally, especially for its benefits in breastfeeding and new born development.
In honor of Kangaroo Care Awareness Day, we explore how this simple yet transformative practice can support early parenting and infant care.
Understanding Kangaroo care
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines kangaroo care as direct skin to skin contact between a mother and her new born baby, ideally coupled with breastfeeding. However, even if breastfeeding is not possible, the skin to skin component alone has profound benefits.
If the mother is unable to participate—due to medical reasons or recovery—a father or another caregiver can provide the same level of closeness and comfort. This method is especially recommended for low birth weight or preterm babies, but it is beneficial for all newborns.
Insights from Dr. Shelly Singh
As a highly experienced Gynaecologist, Obstetrician, and Infertility Specialist, Dr. Shelly Singh emphasizes the importance of kangaroo care in early neonatal health. Her clinical experience highlights that this method not only benefits the baby but also supports mothers in their post-delivery recovery and emotional well-being.
“Kangaroo care fosters emotional bonding, encourages effective breastfeeding, and supports the physical development of the baby. It’s a natural and safe way to ensure a gentle beginning for both mother and child.”
Dr. Singh actively encourages new parents to incorporate this method into their daily routine right from birth.
Benefits of Kangaroo care
Kangaroo care offers a range of physical and emotional benefits that are both immediate and long-lasting. Some of the key advantages include:
- Stabilizes the baby’s heart rate and breathing: New born held in skin to skin contact tend to show improved cardiorespiratory stability.
- Supports healthy sleep patterns: This gentle closeness helps babies relax and fall into restful sleep, which is essential for growth and brain development.
- Promotes emotional bonding: The connection formed through kangaroo care helps the baby feel secure and loved while enhancing the mother’s emotional bond.
- Encourages effective breastfeeding: Skin to skin contact increases the likelihood of successful latching and feeding.
- Boosts growth and development: Especially important for low birth weight and preterm babies, kangaroo care helps in healthy weight gain and overall development.
- Prevents hypothermia: The body heat shared during kangaroo care helps regulate the baby’s temperature naturally.
- Reduces stress in the baby: Babies cry less, show fewer signs of discomfort, and adjust better to their surroundings.
- Supports early hospital discharge: With stable vitals and successful feeding, both mother and baby may be able to go home sooner.
Who Can Practice Kangaroo Care and When?
Kangaroo care should begin as soon as possible after delivery. Ideally, it should be a daily routine for the first several days or even weeks after birth. While mothers are the primary caregivers, fathers and other family members can also offer skin to skin contact, especially if the mother is recovering or unavailable.
Regular, repeated sessions of kangaroo care are most effective and can be tailored to suit the baby’s comfort and medical condition.
Highlighting Kangaroo Care Awareness Day
Kangaroo Care Awareness Day reminds us of the beauty and science behind a simple human connection. This day emphasizes the importance of informed, gentle parenting practices that have a significant impact on the health of new born babies.
Dr. Shelly Singh and her team remain dedicated to educating families on the importance of such practices in early infancy and encouraging them to embrace natural, evidence-based approaches to postnatal care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is kangaroo care suitable for all new born?
Yes. While it is particularly helpful for preterm or low birth weight babies, all new born benefit from kangaroo care.
Q2. How often should kangaroo care be done?
It is best to start immediately after birth and continue daily for at least 1–2 hours each day in the early weeks.
Q3. Can fathers or caregivers do kangaroo care?
Yes, kangaroo care can be provided by any caregiver, including fathers, when the mother is unavailable.
Q4. Does kangaroo care help with breastfeeding?
Yes, babies held skin to skin are more likely to latch effectively and feed well.
Q5. Can kangaroo care replace incubators?
While not a full replacement in critical cases, kangaroo care can supplement medical care and improve outcomes for many babies.
Conclusion
Kangaroo care is a deeply nurturing, low-cost, and highly effective method that offers incredible advantages to both parent and baby. Rooted in nature and supported by science, this practice strengthens the physical and emotional bond from the very beginning of life. Whether you’re welcoming a full-term or a preterm baby, practicing kangaroo care gives your child the gift of warmth, safety, and love.
For more information on new born care, bonding, and postnatal support, connect with Dr. Shelly Singh—your trusted expert in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Contact us today and give your baby the best start possible.
