Introducing Kangaroo Care 

Care 
 Kangaroo Me Too, Inc
December 1,2018

Raven Pinnick, Karina Renteria, and Linda

Nguyen

TABLE OF CONTENTS
List of illustrations..................................................................3
Abstract...................................................................................4
Introduction.............................................................................5
Purpose...........................................................................5
Problem..........................................................................6
Description.....................................................................7
Discussion …......................................................................... 8-9
Process and procedures …..................................................... 9-10

2
 Benefits.........................................................................10-11
Breastfeeding................................................................11
Physiological and Mental aspects................................11-12
Physical aspects...........................................................12-13
Concern...............................................................................14-15
Conclusion..........................................................................15
Glossary..............................................................................16-18
References............................................................................19
Appendix...........................................................................20-22

List of Illustration
​Figures
Figure 1.Mother and her infant …...........................................6
Figure 2. Premature baby and Mother ....................................9
Figure 3.Mother and
newborn..................................................................................11
Figure 4. Benefit
comparison.............................................................................13
Figure 5. APGAR
chart........................................................................................14

3
 Abstract
​

Kangaroo care has been proven to be a very effective way for mother’s
to connect with their newborn. This technique is also called skin-to-skin
and can help mothers that suffer from postpartum depression: build a
relationship with the new addition to her family. Kangaroo care can also
help newborn babies that are born with health issues. Although
Kangaroo care shows that it has many benefits, only some hospitals in
Texas use it; therefore many patients do not get to experience this.
Kangaroo Me Too Inc. would like to change this by going to different
hospitals and introducing this technique.

4
 Introduction
Purpose
Texas hospitals with a labor and delivery unit will benefit greatly
by implementing the well-known “Kangaroo care” that is being used in
hospitals in the United States.

Figure 1. Mother and her infant.

http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/population-groups/maternal-and-infant-health.aspx

Kangaroo care can be taught to all of the nurses and doctors on

staff in a Labor and Delivery ward, as well as when expecting parents

5
have an appointment with their OBGYN. Patients and families with the
known skills and resources for skin-to-skin will see many proven
benefits within the newborn relationship and throughout life
development.

Problem
Currently, Kangaroo care is only being introduced to mothers at a
few local hospitals like JPS Hospital and Baylor Hospital. By the time a
parent is told about the importance of skin-to-skin, they have already
adapted to their set ways of baby snuggling. While many first-time
parents are busy getting things together for their newborn babies, they
are not really understanding the importance of a bond and connection
straight out of the womb. Doctors and nurses are putting more
concentration and emphasis on the pregnancy aspects of newborn care
versus the aftercare when families are discharged from the hospital.
Kangaroo care is being used in many different hospitals around the
United States, but it is less known in Texas hospitals. With the given
knowledge and skills, Kangaroo care is also very effective in the
breastfeeding aspects and helping the infant grasp the concept of
suckling and cuddling. Kangaroo Me Too, Inc. was founded on the basis

6
of getting parents to understand how important skin to skin shapes a
child’s future. We are a group of pediatric nurse interns whose
specialties range from conception to childbirth.(Vahdati, M.,
Mohammadizadeh, M., & Talakoub, S. ,2017)

Description
Based upon the different parenting aspects in today's society, there
is a way to educate many people on Kangaroo care benefits. Kangaroo
care is basically the process of a newborn baby, resting against the
mother’s or father's chest for a period of time, completely free of
clothes. The time can be extended and ranges from 15 minutes to several
hours a day, depending upon the newborn’s APGAR score. For a brief
amount of time during doctors' appointments, expecting families will be
able to watch videos and practice with a simulation infant to learn how
to properly do Kangaroo care. This will prepare mothers and even
fathers to begin skin-to-skin immediately after childbirth to jumpstart the
many benefits. The company is looking forward to introducing
Kangaroo care to hospitals and maintaining the benefits that are
physical, mental, and psychological in an infant's life. In the following
sections, we discuss a research study that we found, the breakdown of
the benefits, and recommendations from KMTI to help Texas hospitals

7
keep families informed. (Persson, M., Razaz, N., Tedroff, K., Joseph, K.
S., & Cnattingius, S. 2018)

Discussion
Case Study

There are a multitude of studies that show that mothers and

babies should be together, skin to skin, immediately after birth, as well
as later once discharged from the hospital. Canadian Breastfeeding
Foundation did a study on newborns with low birth weight (less than 2
kilograms) who received Kangaroo care immediately after
birth.(Dehghani, K., Movahed, Z. P., Dehghani, H., & Nasiriani, K.
,2015) These infants had a 36% less chance of dying prematurely.

8
 Figure 2: Premature baby and Mother

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/jan/19/kangaroo-care-legacy-salmon-creek-premature-ba
by/

Newborns born prematurely who immediately received skin-to-skin

also have a 47% less risk of getting sepsis. Infants who receive
immediate skin-to-skin, whether premature or not, they develop a stable
relationship to adapt to the atmosphere it is being born in. When a baby
is taken out of its natural habitat (mother's womb, out of parents' arms),
it will show all the possible signs of being in distress. The newborn’s

9
blood pressure and body temperature will drop,the breathing rate will
speed up, and the exchange of sensory information becomes disturbed.

Process and Procedures

To begin Kangaroo care, start with a newborn fresh out of the
mother's womb. Dry the baby off and place directly on the mother's
chest. (If the mother is unavailable for medical reasons, this can be done
on the father’s chest) Place the infant vertically on the parent's abdomen
and chest, and let the baby lay comfortable on the bare skin. Let the
infant and parental role bond through skin swaddling with no
interruptions, unless a medical emergency occurs for about 15 to 20
minutes. A newborn’s natural instinct after about 10 minutes is to start
wiggling around to get closer to the mother's' breast. They have a great
sense of smell for Colostrum and will be curious to find where it is
located.(Dehghani, K., Movahed, Z. P., Dehghani, H., & Nasiriani, K.
(2015) This will help prepare the mother and baby to have a smooth
transition for breastfeeding.

Figure 3. Mother and newborn

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Postpartum_baby2.jpg

10
 Benefits
Breastfeeding

As mentioned before, if STS is done immediately after childbirth,

newborns will quickly catch the concept of breastfeeding. Newborns are
more likely to latch on properly, can breastfeed exclusively and longer,
as well as be able to indicate to their mother when they are ready to be
fed without excessive crying. Breastmilk has many benefits that helps
not only the infant's health, but the mother as well. Breast milk contains
antibodies that help the baby fight off viruses and bacteria. It also lowers
the risk of the baby getting asthma or allergies. Once a woman gives
birth to a child, the colostrum in her breast milk is automatically loaded

11
with immune, growth and tissue repair factors. If a baby is breastfed
exclusively for the first 6 months of life, they tend to have fewer ear
infections, little to no respiratory illnesses, and less spurts of diarrhea,
versus a formula fed baby. (Blakemore, E. 2016)

Psychological and Mental Aspects

Utilizing the knowledge of skin-to-skin will decrease the chance of

psychological needs as the infant grows older. This helps mothers that
suffer from post-partum depression and may be having a hard time
connecting with their newborn. It can also decrease parental stress that
can interfere with bonding, health and emotional wellness, and the
interpersonal relations of parents. Contact via skin has proven to be
fundamental to long term healthy brain development by perinatal
somatosensory experiences.(Blakemore, E. 2016) According to
professional researcher, Nathalie Maitre​ o​ f Nationwide Children’s
Hospital and Vanderbilt University, studies have shown various brain
development responses of over 125 babies to be a positive impact. When
Kangaroo care is consistently as a child, their motor and mental

12
development improves with a less likely chance of having a mental

illness. Figure 4. Benefit comparison.

https://www.slideserve.com/lionel-schwartz/birth-and-the-newborn-baby

Physical Aspects

Kangaroo care can also improve the infant's quality of life after
childbirth. It can help maintain a normal body temperature, a steady
heart rate, respiratory rate and a normal blood pressure. After delivery,
many doctors are waiting a while to assess the baby with the APGAR
scale. APGAR have been used for many years to rate a newborns skin
color, breathing, heart rate and many other features.(Aliyu, I., Lawal, T.
O., & Onankpa, B,2018) Studies have shown that immediate
skin-to-skin has proven to have a better rated score and a decrease in
chance of going to the NICU, especially for premature babies.

13
Figure 5. APGAR Chart

https://www.abclawcenters.com/practice-areas/diagnostic-tests/apgar-sc
ore-for-assessment-of-the-newborn/

Concern
Although Kangaroo care seems to have many benefits, many
parents are annoyed by the constant push of doctors and nurses invading
personal space while in the hospital. It is known for parents to be
stressed and frustrated with the constant nurses in and out of hospital
rooms for checkups. One way to fix this is by training the parents during
the pregnancy doctor’s appointments ahead of time; that way the

14
knowledge is already given to them. Once delivery of the infant occurs,
the parents will already be skilled and knowledgeable of what to do.

Another concern is who is responsible for checking up with parents

once they are discharged from the hospital. That can be taken care of
with the 24-hour nurses hotline number for parents to ask health
questions. Some insurance companies have included this cost in the
healthcare plan, so the patient just has to contact the insurance provider.

Conclusion/Summary
Kangaroo Me Too, Inc. wants to make sure Texas hospitals start
implementing the importance of skin-to-skin care for newborns.
Although swaddling babies with blankets has been around for many
years, Kangaroo care is a different approach for reaching the same
health goals. In the end it will benefit not only the infant but the parents
as well. In the near future, KMTI plans to explore hospitals outside of
Texas just to make sure that everyone receives the same health care.

15
 Glossary
Abdomen​​ - the part of the body of a vertebrate containing the digestive
organs; the belly. In humans and other mammals, it is bounded by the
diaphragm and the pelvis.
Aftercare​​ - subsequent care or maintenance, in particular.
Antibodies​​ - a blood protein produced in response to and counteracting
a specific antigen. Antibodies combine chemically with substances that
the body recognizes as alien, such as bacteria, viruses, and foreign
substances in the blood.
APGAR (Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration)​​ - is a
number scale by scoring the heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone,
skin color, and response to a catheter in the nostril. Each of these
objective signs can receive 0, 1, or 2 points. A perfect score of 10 means
an infant is in the best possible condition.
Appointment​​ - an arrangement to meet someone at a particular time and
place.
Aspect​​ - a particular part or feature of something.
Breastfeeding​​ - also known as nursing, is the feeding of babies and
young children with milk from a woman's breast.
Colostrum​​ - the first secretion from the mammary glands after giving
birth, rich in antibodies.
Delivery​​ - the process of giving birth.
Depression​​ - feelings of severe despondency and dejection.
Doctor​​ - a qualified practitioner of medicine; a physician.

16
Extended​​ - lasting longer than is usual or expected; prolonged.
Illness​​ - a disease or period of sickness affecting the body or mind.
Implementing​​ - put (a decision, plan, agreement, etc.) into effect.
Infant ​- a very young child or baby.
Interns ​- a student or trainee who works, sometimes without pay, at a
trade or occupation in order to gain work experience.
Kangaroo care​​ - defined as a period of care where the infant is held
upright between the mothers' breast and the father's chest, undressed and
receiving direct skin to skin contact.
Labor​​ - the process of childbirth, especially the period from the start of
uterine contractions to delivery.
Newborn​​ - (of a child or animal) recently or just born.
NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)​​ - an intensive care unit designed
for premature and ill newborn babies.
Nurse​​ - a person trained to care for the sick or infirm, especially in a
hospital.
Patients ​- a person receiving or registered to receive medical treatment.
Pediatric​​ - relating to the branch of medicine dealing with children and
their diseases.
Perinatal Somatosensory​​ - of, relating to, or being sensory activity
having its origin elsewhere than in the special sense organs (as eyes and
ears) and conveying information about the state of the body proper and
its immediate environment.
Postpartum ​- following childbirth or the birth of young.

17
Postpartum Depression​​ - depression suffered by a mother following
childbirth, typically arising from the combination of hormonal changes,
psychological adjustment to motherhood, and fatigue.
Prematurely​​ - before the due time; ahead of time.
Sepsis ​- a critical illness that happens when the body experiences an
overwhelming immune response to an infection.
Skin​​ - the thin layer of tissue forming the natural outer covering of the
body of a person or animal.
Society​​ - (of a person or their behavior) using money and other
resources carefully and not wastefully.
STS (Skin-To-Skin)​​ - skin contact between baby and mother (or father),
anything from 10 minutes to an hour or more a day.
Womb​​ - the organ in the lower body of a woman or female mammal
where offspring are conceived and in which they gestate before birth; the
uterus.

18
 References
Adeli, M., & Alirezaei, S. (2018). A Comparative Study of the Effects of Skin Contact and Kangaroo
Care on Mother’s Anxiety. Iranian Journal of Nursing & Midwifery Research, 23(4), 327–328.
https://doi.org/10.4103/ijnmr.IJNMRpass:[_]100_17

Vahdati, M., Mohammadizadeh, M., & Talakoub, S. (2017). Effect of Kangaroo Care Combined with
Music on the Mother--premature Neonate Attachment: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Iranian Journal of
Nursing & Midwifery Research, 22(5), 403–407. ​https://doi.org/10.4103/ijnmr.IJNMRpass:[_]50_16

Dehghani, K., Movahed, Z. P., Dehghani, H., & Nasiriani, K. (2015). A Randomized Controlled Trial of
Kangaroo Mother Care Versus Conventional Method on Vital Signs and Arterial Oxygen Saturation Rate
in Newborns Who were Hospitalized in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Journal of Clinical Neonatology,
4(1), 26–31. ​https://doi.org/10.4103/2249-4847.151163

Lowson, K., Offer, C., Watson, J., McGuire, B., & Renfrew, M. J. (2015). The economic benefits of
increasing kangaroo skin-to-skin care and breastfeeding in neonatal units: analysis of a pragmatic
intervention in clinical practice. International Breastfeeding Journal, 10(1), 1–11.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-015-0035-8

Corner, L. (2017, February 07). Saving Babies' Lives by Carrying Them Like Kangaroos. Retrieved
October 30, 2018, from ​https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2017/02/kangaroo-care/515844/

The Apgar Score | Assessing Your Baby's Health After Birth. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.abclawcenters.com/practice-areas/diagnostic-tests/apgar-score-for-assessment-of-th
e-newborn

19
 Appendix
Interview Questions
**Based upon the first portion of the interview, Mother 1 and 2 would
like to remain anonymous.

1. Was the practice of Kangaroo care applied to your significant other?

Family member?
Mother 1: To myself, husband, 2 of my sisters, mother, and my
mother-in-law.
Mother 2: Husband, cousin, and both parents. I didn’t get to hold my
baby till the next day. I was too exhausted.
2. After the delivery, how did the nurse apply Kangaroo care?
Mother 1: She explained it as skin contact, not Kangaroo care, but she
said that he helps the baby in tremendous ways and for you as
well. Your heartbeats would be in sync, the baby would feel
your breath, and hear your voice much better.
Mother 2: The nurse says that not only stabilizes the ​heart​​ and
respiratory rates but it improves oxygen saturation rates and
better regulates an infant's body temperature.
3. Were you aware this practice existence?
Mother 1: Somewhat. Not a full-blown explanation but a small brief
blip.
Mother 2: Yes.
4. Was it an easy transition to Kangaroo care after delivery?

20
Mother 1: No it wasn’t. I was so exhausted that I was on the verge of
passing out.
Mother 2: Yes. I immediately got to hold my baby and kiss her.
5. Where did you hear this practice from?
Mother 1: From a magazine and a book.
Mother 2: My brother and my friend.
6. Were you taught this from a professional? Friends? Family?
Self-taught?
Mother 1: Self-taught and I attended a class once before with a friend a
year back.
Mother 2: Mostly family.
7. What is the best way to be given the information of Kangaroo care if
not from a class?
Mother 1: Through a class session, every time when a pregnant woman
goes to have doctor visits, and commercials.
Mother 2: Doctor appointments and experienced parents.
8. Would you recommend this practice to any other parent? First-time
parents?
Mother 1: Yes, most definitely.
Mother 2: Is that a trick question?
9. Do you think Kangaroo care should be brought to the attention in
nursing practices? Hospitals? Clinics?
Mother 1: Yes. A couple of my friends had no idea the practice they
were doing had a name.

21
Mother 2: Yes. It should be made aware.
10. What did you like about the practice?
Mother 1: The closeness and comfort. How that feeling of something
feels like a puzzle.
Mother 2: I cried when I got to hold her. She felt delicate and warm. I
tried not to smother her too much but I couldn’t help. I felt so
happy.

22