Kangaroo Mother Care
Skin-to-skin contact between parent and baby, encouraged as part of everyday NICU care to support bonding, warmth, and stability.
Understanding Kangaroo Mother Care
Kangaroo Mother Care involves holding a baby skin-to-skin against a parent's chest for extended periods. It supports temperature regulation, feeding, and bonding, and is encouraged for eligible babies as soon as they are stable enough, alongside their regular medical care.
Conditions We Treat
Premature Birth
Babies born early often benefit from the warmth and stability that skin-to-skin contact provides.
- Baby was born preterm and is medically stable
- Care team has cleared baby for skin-to-skin contact
- Parent wishes to begin closer bonding during the NICU stay
Low Birth Weight
Skin-to-skin contact can help small babies maintain body temperature and support steady weight gain.
- Baby has a low birth weight but is stable
- Baby is gaining weight slowly
- Care team recommends additional warmth support
Difficulty Bonding During a NICU Stay
Time apart during intensive care can make early bonding harder; skin-to-skin contact helps bridge this.
- Parent feels disconnected from their baby during NICU care
- Baby has been in an incubator for an extended period
- Care team suggests more parent-baby contact time
Difficulty Maintaining Body Temperature
Close skin contact naturally helps regulate a baby's temperature as an alternative or addition to an incubator.
- Baby has had difficulty staying warm
- Baby is stable enough to be held for extended periods
- Care team is monitoring temperature regulation
Establishing Breastfeeding
Skin-to-skin contact often helps babies latch more easily and supports milk supply.
- Baby is learning to breastfeed
- Mother wants to support milk supply
- Baby is stable enough for feeding attempts at the breast
Multiple Births Needing Extra Bonding Time
Twins or triplets in the NICU may need dedicated time with each parent to support individual bonding.
- Parents of twins or triplets want equal bonding time
- Babies are medically stable for skin-to-skin contact
- Care team is coordinating contact time between multiple babies
Recovery & Rehabilitation
Kangaroo Mother Care is introduced gradually and built into a family's daily routine.
Assessment
Stability Check
The care team confirms the baby is medically stable enough for skin-to-skin contact.
Treatment
Guided First Session
A nurse guides the parent through positioning and duration for the first skin-to-skin session.
Recovery
Regular Sessions
Skin-to-skin contact is built into the daily routine, alongside the baby's ongoing medical care.
Follow-up
Continued at Home
Families are encouraged to continue skin-to-skin contact after discharge to support ongoing bonding.
Kangaroo Mother Care questions
Get answers about skin-to-skin care and bonding in the NICU.
As soon as your baby is medically stable, the care team will guide you through your first skin-to-skin session, even while your baby is still receiving other care.
Kangaroo Mother Care may be encouraged if:
- Baby is medically stable and cleared by the care team
- Baby was born premature or with low birth weight
- Parents want more bonding time during the NICU stay
- Baby is working on establishing breastfeeding
- Temperature regulation support would help your baby
Family involvement is built into everyday NICU care
Parents are guided and supported to hold their baby skin-to-skin as soon as it is safe, recognising bonding as an important part of a baby's stability and recovery.
Need help deciding? Our Care Guide can help you understand how to begin Kangaroo Mother Care with your baby.
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