kangaroo care
Skin-to-skin contact between parent and infant, particularly beneficial for premature babies.
Full Definition
Kangaroo care, also known as skin-to-skin contact, involves placing a diapered infant directly on a parent's bare chest, typically with a blanket covering both. This evidence-based intervention originated as a method to care for premature infants in resource-limited settings but has been adopted worldwide due to its multiple benefits. Research demonstrates that kangaroo care improves physiologic stability, promotes bonding, enhances breastfeeding success, reduces length of hospital stay, and supports neurodevelopment. The practice is encouraged for both mothers and fathers and can be safely implemented even in critically ill infants with appropriate monitoring.
Usage
Usage note: Document duration, infant tolerance, and any physiologic changes during kangaroo care sessions.
In Context
- "The nursing staff encouraged kangaroo care for at least one hour during each parental visit." — care plan
- "Kangaroo care sessions were well-tolerated with stable heart rate and oxygen saturation." — nursing documentation