kangaroo care
Skin-touching infant method
Kangaroo care is a method of holding a newborn against a parent's bare chest, skin to skin, typically with the baby wearing only a diaper.
The practice, named for how kangaroos carry joeys in their pouches, promotes bonding, regulates the infant's temperature and heartbeat, and supports breastfeeding.
Originally developed for premature babies, it's now recommended for all newborns: The nurse helped her with kangaroo care in the first hour after delivery.
- babyVery young child
- nursingMedical caretaking profession
- preterm birthDelivery before 37 weeks
- thermoregulationMaintaining stable internal heat
- motherFemale parent
skin-to-skin contact · first touch · warm embrace · gentle warmth · hold · incubator · maternal bonding · infant massage · low birth weight · NICU · breastfeeding · attachment theory · hypoglycemia · Apgar score · oxygen therapy · parental bonding · early intervention · secure attachment
kangaroo careneglect
Failure to provide care
abuse · institutional care · abandonment · emotional unavailability · emotional detachment