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The kangaroo method, also called "kangaroo mother method" or "skin-to-skin contact", is an alternative that was created by pediatrician Edgar Rey Sanabria in 1979 in Bogotá, Colombia, to reduce hospital stay and encourage the breastfeeding of newborns. - low birth weight. Edgar noted that when they were placed skin to skin with their parents or family members, newborns gained weight faster than those who did not have this contact, as well as having fewer infections and being discharged earlier than babies who did not participate in the initiative.
This method is started right after birth, still in the maternity ward, where parents are trained in how to take the baby, how to position it and how to attach it to the body. In addition to all the benefits that the method presents, it still has the advantage of being of low cost for the health unit and for the parents, therefore, since then, it has been used in the recovery of low birth weight newborns. Check the essential care with the newborn at home.
What is it for
The objective of the kangaroo method is to encourage breastfeeding, encouraging the constant presence of parents with the newborn in continuous contact, reducing hospitalization time and reducing family stress.
Studies show that in hospitals where the method is used, the amount of daily milk in mothers who make skin-to-skin contact with the baby is greater, and also, that the breastfeeding period lasts longer. See the benefits of prolonged breastfeeding.
In addition to breastfeeding, the kangaroo method also helps to:
- Develop parents' confidence in handling the baby even after hospital discharge;
- Relieve stress and pain of low birth weight newborns;
- Decrease the chances of hospital infection;
- Reduce hospital stay;
- Increase the parent-child bond;
- Avoid the baby's heat loss.
The baby's contact with the breast also makes the newborn feel cozy, since he can recognize the first sounds he heard during pregnancy, the heartbeat, breathing, and mother's voice.
How is done
In the kangaroo method the baby is placed in a vertical position in skin-to-skin contact only with the diaper on the parents' chest, and this occurs gradually, that is, the baby is initially touched, and then placed in the kangaroo position. This contact of the newborn with the parents begins in an increasing way, each day, the baby spends more time in the kangaroo position, by choice of the family and the time that the parents feel comfortable.
The kangaroo method is carried out in an oriented manner, and by the family's choice, in a safe manner and accompanied by an appropriately trained health team.
Due to all the advantages and benefits that the method can bring to the baby and the family, it is currently also used in newborns of normal weight, in order to increase the affective bond, reduce stress and encourage breastfeeding.