What Is Kangaroo Care?
Kangaroo care, also called skin-to-skin care, is a special way of holding your baby directly against your bare chest.
During kangaroo care, your baby is usually wearing only a diaper and is placed upright against your chest, with a blanket covering their back to help keep them warm.
This allows your baby to feel your warmth, hear your heartbeat, and become familiar with your voice and scent.
Kangaroo care is especially beneficial for premature babies and is an important part of family-centered NICU care.
It is one of the meaningful ways parents can participate in their baby's care, even while their baby is in the NICU.
Why Is Kangaroo Care Important?
Skin-to-skin contact offers several benefits for premature and full-term babies.
Research has shown that kangaroo care can help:
Support stable body temperature
Promote bonding between parents and babies
Encourage breastfeeding and milk production
Support more restful sleep
Reduce stress and discomfort
Support heart rate and breathing stability in many babies
Encourage growth and development
Kangaroo care also allows parents to become more comfortable recognizing their baby's behaviors and responding to their needs.
Can Very Premature Babies Have Kangaroo Care?
Yes!
Many very premature babies can participate in kangaroo care, including some who require respiratory support.
However, the timing depends on your baby's medical stability and the NICU's practices.
Your healthcare team will determine when skin-to-skin care is appropriate.
Some babies may begin kangaroo care early in their NICU stay, while others need additional time before they are ready.
Even babies who are very small or need medical equipment may be able to enjoy skin-to-skin contact with the help of their NICU team.
Can I Hold My Baby if They Have an IV, PICC Line, or Breathing Support?
Often, yes.
Babies receiving oxygen, CPAP, or certain types of ventilator support may be able to participate in kangaroo care when medically stable.
Babies with IV lines, PICC lines, or feeding tubes may also be eligible.
The healthcare team will carefully secure equipment and assist with transferring your baby.
Some babies are too medically unstable for safe transfer at certain times.
Your baby's nurse will help determine the safest approach.
How Is Kangaroo Care Done?
When your baby is ready, the NICU team will help you get comfortable.
The process usually includes:
Sitting in a comfortable, supportive chair.
Opening the front of your shirt or wearing clothing that allows easy chest access.
Having your baby carefully transferred onto your bare chest.
Positioning your baby upright with their head turned to one side and their airway unobstructed.
Covering your baby's back with a warm blanket.
Relaxing while the NICU team monitors your baby's comfort and stability.
Your baby's head and neck must remain positioned so breathing is not restricted.
A nurse will assist with positioning and equipment.
How Long Should Kangaroo Care Last?
The length of each session depends on your baby's tolerance, medical condition, and NICU guidelines.
Many NICUs encourage longer, uninterrupted periods of skin-to-skin care when possible.
Sessions of approximately an hour or longer may allow your baby time to settle and experience the benefits of close contact.
However, shorter sessions may be appropriate depending on your baby's needs.
The healthcare team will help you determine a comfortable and safe duration.
Can Both Parents Participate?
Absolutely!
Kangaroo care is beneficial when provided by either parent.
Both mothers and fathers can participate in skin-to-skin care.
Other approved caregivers may also be able to participate, depending on the hospital's policies.
For many families, kangaroo care provides an opportunity to feel more connected to their baby during a time when so much of their care is managed by medical equipment and healthcare professionals.
What if My Baby Is Not Ready for Kangaroo Care?
If your baby is not medically ready to be held, there are still ways to provide comfort and connection.
Depending on your baby's condition, the healthcare team may encourage:
Speaking softly to your baby
Providing gentle, still touch
Resting your hands around your baby for containment
Participating in diaper changes or other routine care
Reading or singing quietly
Your baby's nurse can help you understand which activities are appropriate.
As your baby becomes more stable, opportunities for holding and skin-to-skin care may increase.
Does Kangaroo Care Help With Breastfeeding?
Skin-to-skin contact can support breastfeeding by helping babies become familiar with the breast and encouraging early feeding behaviors.
It may also support milk production and milk ejection in breastfeeding parents.
Even babies who are not yet ready to breastfeed can benefit from being held skin-to-skin.
As your baby matures, kangaroo care may become part of the transition toward oral feeding.
Is Kangaroo Care Safe?
Kangaroo care is generally safe and beneficial when your baby is medically stable and the transfer is performed with appropriate assistance.
The NICU team will monitor your baby's breathing, heart rate, oxygen saturation, temperature, and overall comfort as needed.
Parents should remain awake and alert throughout skin-to-skin care.
If you become sleepy or uncomfortable, ask the nurse to help transfer your baby safely back to their bed.
Never attempt to move a baby with medical equipment without assistance from the NICU team.
What Can Parents Ask?
If you are interested in kangaroo care, consider asking:
Is my baby ready for skin-to-skin care?
Can we do kangaroo care while my baby has breathing support?
How often can I hold my baby?
How long should each session last?
Can both parents participate?
What signs tell us my baby is comfortable?
What can I do if my baby is not ready to be held?
What Should Parents Know?
Kangaroo care is a simple but powerful way to connect with your baby during their NICU stay.
It provides warmth, comfort, and closeness while supporting important aspects of your baby's development.
You do not have to wait until your baby is completely free of medical equipment to ask about skin-to-skin care.
Many premature babies can participate with appropriate support from the NICU team.
Every opportunity to hold, comfort, and connect with your baby can be a meaningful part of your NICU journey.
