Download Kangaroo care - East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Kangaroo care: skin to skin contact
at birth and beyond
Information for women and their families
Soft organic cotton
Cool and lightweight
No straps or buckles
A safe, practical way to carry
Makes breastfeeding easier
One size fits all
This leaflet has been written to help you understand what kangaroo care is and the benefits for
you and your baby. Kangaroo care aims to promote kangawraps (a specially designed wrap) and
kangawrap kardis (a special cardigan) as a standard method of care for all newborn babies, both
premature and full term. However, you do not need to use any equipment to have skin to skin
contact with your baby.
What is kangaroo care?
Kangaroo care is a technique where the baby, usually preterm, is held skin to skin with an adult.
Through this physical contact, the baby is kept warm and has a close interaction with their parents.
Kangaroo care can be used for a full term baby and twins too.
What are the benefits?
According to Gregson and Blacker (2011) the benefits of kangaroo care are:
• helps regulate baby’s temperature
• better weight gain
• less crying/quieter sleeps
• shorter hospital stay
• helps with bonding
• promotes healthy growth and development
• if breastfeeding, more likely to succeed
• parents really enjoy this experience.
Research has found that kangaroo care is especially important for premature and small babies.
It helps them go home earlier. Depending on your baby’s condition, kangaroo care can begin
immediately after birth or later.
Do I have to try kangaroo care?
No. It is your choice if you want to try kangaroo care.
How long should I use kangaroo care?
Within East Kent Hospitals newborns are encouraged to be kept skin to skin with their mothers
or fathers during the first hour after birth until the first feed is initiated. Kangaroo care after this is
encouraged as often as you would like. The kangawraps are suitable for infants from birth to 15kg
(kilograms).
What are kangawraps?
Kangawraps are for women who are mobile and want to walk around whilst undertaking kangaroo
care, enabling hands to be free. It is the most comfortable baby wrap for parents to bond with their
baby on the move. It provides plenty of support for the baby’s head, back, and hips. The wrap is
lightweight and distributes the baby’s weight evenly across the adult’s body.
What is a kangawrap kardi?
Kangawrap kardi can be used while the mother is confined to the bed, for example after a
caesarean section or post epidural anaesthetic. It should never be used whilst walking around as
it will not support the baby.
Will I be able to use a kangawrap?
All women giving birth in East Kent Hospitals are now offered the opportunity to try out a
kangawrap and a kangawrap kardi whilst in hospital.
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Kangaroo care, June 2016 (version 2)
Can I keep my kangawrap?
Please note that wraps and kardi’s must be returned back to staff when you are ready to go home.
You can purchase your own brand new kangawrap from Folkestone or Kingsgate Ward for a cost
of £40.
Are there any risks to using a kangawrap?
Only wear the wrap in accordance with the directions provided by a member of staff.
The baby should always be carried in an upright position. Do not use the kangawrap to carry your
baby horizontally as this could risk suffocation.
Position your baby so that you can see its face and check your baby is breathing regularly,
especially when your baby is asleep. Do not go to sleep with your baby in the wrap.
Further information
Further information and advice can be obtained from the following web sites or you can speak with
your midwife.
• Unicef www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly
• Kangawrap www.kangawrap.co.uk
• You tube: baby friendly caesarean birth https://youtu.be/fR-39ITbJOQ
References
• Gregson S, Blacker J. Kangaroo care in preterm or low birth weight babies in the postnatal
ward. British Journal of Midwifery 2011; 19 (9): 566-575.
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Kangaroo care, June 2016 (version 2)
Any complaints, comments, concerns, or compliments
If you have other concerns please talk to your doctor or nurse. Alternatively please contact our
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 01227 783145 or 01227 864314,
or email [email protected]
Further patient information leaflets
In addition to this leaflet, East Kent Hospitals has a wide range of other patient information leaflets
covering conditions, services, and clinical procedures carried out by the Trust. For a full listing
please go to www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/patientinformation or contact a member of staff.
After reading this information, do you have any further questions or comments? If so,
please list below and bring to the attention of your nurse or consultant.
Would you like the information in this leaflet in another format or language?
We value equality of access to our information and services and
are therefore happy to provide the information in this leaflet in
Braille, large print, or audio - upon request.
If you would like a copy of this document in your language, please contact the ward or department
responsible for your care.
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się z oddziałem lub działem odpowiedzialnym za opiekę nad nimi.
Ak by ste chceli kópiu tohto dokumentu vo vašom jazyku, prosím skontaktujte nemocničné
pracovisko, alebo oddelenie zodpovedné za starostlivosť o vás.
Pokud byste měli zájem o kopii tohoto dokumentu ve svém jazyce, kontaktujte prosím oddělení
odpovídající za Vaši péči.
Чтобы получить копию этого документа на вашем родном языке, пожалуйста обратитесь в
отделение, ответственное за ваше лечение.
We have allocated parking spaces for disabled people, automatic doors, induction loops, and can
provide interpretation. For assistance, please contact a member of staff.
This leaflet has been produced with and for women and their families
Information produced by Womens Health
Date reviewed: June 2016 (version 2) Next review date: October 2018
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