Skin-to-skin contact
Skin-to-skin contact (pronunciation: /ˈskɪn tə ˈskɪn ˈkɑːnˌtækt/), also known as kangaroo care or kangaroo mother care (KMC), is a method of caring for newborn infants involving direct skin-to-skin contact with a parent, typically the mother.
Etymology
The term "kangaroo care" is derived from the way kangaroos carry their young in a pouch, providing warmth and security. The term was first used in the late 1970s in Bogota, Colombia, where it was introduced as a method to keep premature babies warm in an environment where incubators were not readily available.
Definition
Skin-to-skin contact involves placing a naked baby on the mother's bare chest, typically immediately after birth. This practice is believed to have numerous benefits for both the mother and the baby, including promoting bonding, regulating the baby's temperature, heart rate, and breathing, and encouraging breastfeeding.
Related Terms
- Breastfeeding: The practice of feeding a baby with milk directly from the mother's breast.
- Bonding: The process of forming a close emotional relationship between parents and their newborn child.
- Incubator: A device used to provide a controlled environment for premature or sick babies.
- Premature birth: A birth that occurs before the 37th week of pregnancy.
Benefits
Research has shown that skin-to-skin contact can have numerous benefits, including:
- Improved thermoregulation: Skin-to-skin contact helps to regulate the baby's body temperature.
- Enhanced bonding: Skin-to-skin contact promotes a close emotional bond between the parent and the baby.
- Increased breastfeeding success: Skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth can increase the likelihood of successful breastfeeding.
- Reduced stress and crying: Babies who have skin-to-skin contact with their mothers tend to cry less and appear less stressed.
Risks
While skin-to-skin contact is generally considered safe, there are some potential risks, including:
- Overheating: There is a risk of the baby becoming too warm while in skin-to-skin contact.
- Falls: There is a risk of the baby falling if the parent becomes too tired or falls asleep while holding the baby.
- Infection: If the parent has a contagious illness, there is a risk of the baby becoming infected.
See Also
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