Kangaroo care
Kangaroo care is a method of neonatal care where infants, particularly those born prematurely, are held skin-to-skin with a parent, usually the mother. This method of care is named for the similarity to how a kangaroo carries its joey in its pouch for warmth and protection.
Pronunciation
Kangaroo care: /kæŋɡəˈruː kɛər/
Etymology
The term "kangaroo care" was first coined in the late 1970s by researchers in Bogota, Colombia, who were seeking low-cost alternatives to traditional incubator care for premature infants. The name was inspired by the way kangaroos carry their young in a pouch, providing warmth and security.
Description
Kangaroo care involves placing a newborn, wearing only a diaper, on the bare chest of the mother or father. The baby's back is then covered with a blanket for additional warmth. This skin-to-skin contact has been shown to have numerous benefits for both the infant and the parent.
Benefits
Research has shown that kangaroo care can help stabilize the infant's heart rate, improve oxygen saturation levels, regulate body temperature, and promote weight gain. It can also encourage breastfeeding and bonding between the parent and infant.
Related Terms
- Neonatal care: The specialized care provided to newborn infants, particularly those born prematurely or with health complications.
- Premature birth: A birth that occurs more than three weeks before the baby's estimated due date.
- Incubator: A device used to provide a controlled environment for premature or ill newborns.
- Breastfeeding: The process of feeding a baby with milk directly from the mother's breast.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Kangaroo care
- Wikipedia's article - Kangaroo care
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski