-in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Intermediate Care Nursery. An information guide to the practice of skin-to-skin contact to promote parent/infant bonding in special care babies.

WHAT IS KANGAROO CARE?
It is a method of skin-to-skin contact to promote parent/infant bonding especially for premature babies. KC was first initiated by two South American neonatologists. It is the practice of holding a premature infant dressed only in a diaper and a hat between a mothers bare breasts or father's chest, similar to a kangaroo carrying their young. Through contact with their parents skin, the babies are kept warm and allow a close interaction with their parents. KC has not been shown to have any physical risks to the preterm babies.

WHY KANGAROO CARE?
The practice of KC was first introduced to neonatal units to involve parents in the care of their preemies and to decrease some of the stress associated with an infant needing neonatal intensive care. Parents who have experienced KC have expressed excitement and joy with the practice and many feel like parents for the first time since their infant's birth.

Infants have been observed in a restful sleep state while in the kangaroo position. As well, KC has been found to promote parent/infant bonding, breastfeeding and an early discharge for premature infants.

WHERE IS KANGAROO CARE PRACTICED?
The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Children's Hospital and the Intermediate Care Nursery (IMCN) at Women's Hospital both promote and encourage the practice of KC.

WHO CAN PRACTICE KANGAROO CARE?
Any mom, dad and babe who wishes to do so, of course.

WHEN CAN KANGAROO CARE BE INITIATED?
At Children's NICU and Women's IMCN, the policy includes stable babies who are less than 1500 grams and are breathing on their own. Babies needing oxygen or nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), may also be eligible. Cardiopulmonary monitoring and oximetry may be continued during KC. The bedside nusre will be nearby to monitor the infant as necessary during this procedure.

HOW DO YOU DO KANGAROO CARE?
With mom or dad siting in a rocking chair, baby is placed in a head-up position between mom's breasts or on father's chest. Babe is dressed only in a diaper and a hat with a light blanket to cover baby after he/she is in position. Screens are available for privacy. Initially KC should be practiced for 30 minutes once a day and gradually increased to 2-3 hours per day as tolerated.

ABOUT KANGAROO CARE...
"I used to be worried of what I would see or hear in the nursery, but as I learned to feel my baby get stronger in the K position, I started to visit the baby more often because it was not a scary place anymore."

"I feel like I have moved into the nursery. I now can walk in and out of any room in the nursery and be comfortable. Such a difference, and it's because I'm not afraid for my baby anymore."

"I used to feel my baby had to be monitored by the machines or it might die without it. But as I saw and felt my baby doing well on my breasts, I now know the machines are there to help the nurses when I'm not here to put the baby in this K position. So I'm not afraid of anything in this place anymore."