Is there something we can learn from Kangaroos?

June 8, 2022

Recent studies show the early introduction of Kangaroo care can have a dramatic positive impact on the outcomes for preterm and low birth weight babies.

Recent studies show the early introduction of Kangaroo care can have a dramatic positive impact on the outcomes for preterm and low birth weight babies [3,4,5].

Skin-to-skin care, often referred to as ‘kangaroo care’, has become widely adopted in maternity practice and neonatal environments globally since its pioneering conception in Bogotá, Columbia. From the early 1980s this once novel technique has evolved. We now understand how adopting an approach of continual chest-to-chest and skin-to-skin contact not only provides a viable alternative in low resource settings, where incubators are in short supply and infection rates soar, but also as a tool to improve clinical outcomes through positive impacts on body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate [1].

What are the benefits of skin-to-skin care?

The improvements made across a range of parameters have been studied widely, with impact noted initially in higher levels of infant body temperature within normal range, earlier established breastfeeding and increased bonding between parent and baby. These benefits have influenced an adoption of immediate skin-to-skin contact between mum and baby after a healthy full-term birth. However, in the preterm population the effects of kangaroo care are even more profound, and we can learn a lot about caring for preterm babies from the pouch carrying mammals from whom the concept takes its name.

When a kangaroo ‘joey’ is born, mere weeks after conception, it is no bigger than a jellybean and without fully developed limbs, eyes, and internal organs. Over the following 6 months the joey is protected in its mother’s pouch, kept warm, feeding, and growing.

When the practice of kangaroo care is applied to mothers and babies after preterm delivery, and during time spent in NICU, baby experiences a more relaxed and less stressful environment while the positive psychological effect on the parent helps them deal with the shock of an early, and potentially unexpected, birth[2].

In the preterm and low birth weight (LBW) infant, kangaroo care ‘improves oxygen saturation, reduces cortisol levels, encourages pre-feeding behaviour, assists with growth and brain development and improves expressed milk volume’ [3]. newly published trial from Sweden demonstrated the beneficial effects of skin-to-skin contact on the cardiorespiratory stabilisation of very preterm infants in the first six hours after delivery [4] and a recent study by the World Health Organization (WHO) demonstrated that initiation of kangaroo mother care (KMC) had a dramatic impact on survival of preterm or LBW babies when started soon after birth and had the potential to save up to 150,000 more lives each year through reduced mortality rates [5].

Differing practice globally and limiting factors

The Bogotá doctors who first created a kangaroo care program did so in response to a shortage of incubators and severe hospital infections in their country. Their work paved the way for further research and widespread adoption yet practice and acceptance varies between countries.

Kangaroo care is one of the most low-cost interventions known to reduce mortality, infections, duration of hospitalization and cost of care among LBW infants [6], yet while the Bogotá program, and others, show benefits when baby is nursed almost continuously, in many countries a period of only one hour spent skin-to-skin every day is celebrated as a victory.

Many factors contribute to lesser durations of kangaroo care. Barriers include issues with equipment, resources and environment, impressions of negative staff attitude and lack of awareness around the benefits of kangaroo care [7]. Work is being done to address the problems associated with awareness and attitude and events such as International Kangaroo Care Awareness Day (International Kangaroo Care Awareness Day – May 15th – Kangaroo Care Day) are bringing attention to the benefits for both baby and parents while reassuring caregivers that this approach is beneficial for their patients.

When considering the issue of equipment, resources and environment a much wider view may need to be considered to provide the optimal space for continual kangaroo care to be achieved and perhaps manufacturers need to become even more intuitive with their product offering to support the hospital in providing this vital concept.

Some species go to incredible lengths to care for their young and we can learn a lot from the maternal instinct that exists in the animal kingdom. For the babies, parents and caregivers in neonatal units around the world, everyone can relate to this fight for survival.