Kangaroo Care for Premature Infants
Topic Overview
Kangaroo care is the skin-to-skin holding of an infant on your chest,
under a hospital gown or loose shirt. After a premature or sick infant is
medically stable, parents can practice kangaroo care, which is known to have
positive effects on an infant's heart rate and breathing, as well as on
parent–infant bonding.
Many neonatal intensive care units encourage kangaroo care of
premature infants. While some encourage early kangaroo care of tiny and
ventilated infants, others reserve this practice for more developed, stable
infants.
Credits
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By
|
Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine |
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Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
John Pope, MD - Pediatrics |
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Last Revised
|
April 14, 2011 |
Last Revised:
April 14, 2011