Skip to main content

PROTOCOL ON KANGAROO MOTHER CARE (KMC)

Purpose​

To provide skin-to-skin care to the LBW babies. Creating a foetal in-womb invironment. Reducing babys’ stresslevel.

Criterias​

- All stable LBW babies > 1000g
- Stable LBW babies < 1000 g - permission from doctor has to be given
- KMC can be initiated in a baby who is connected to fluids, tubefeeding and/or
oxygen.
- Any family member can perform KMC.
- To be initiated within the first day of admission.
- Family member performing KMC: Should be free from illness and maintain
good hygiene.

Benefits​

  • Maintaining temperature
  • Increasing Inter Personal Relationship/ bonding between baby and mother/father/relatives.
  • Stabilizing respiration
  • Reducing stress in baby and caregiver.
  • Earlier discharge
  • Increasing lactation.
  • Prevents infection.

Preparations​

- Assess baby’s temperatur, respiration and color
- Make sure the baby has a clean diaper
- If the baby has just been feed with suthi/gavage, wait for ½ - 1 hour to avoid vomiting. If possible it is benficial for the baby to be tubefeed out on mothers
chest.
- Observe mother and baby closely on the first session of KMC.
- KMC-givers: Wear blue gowns from the unit.
- Tell mother to be careful when sitting down in the chair/bed - be aware of
mothers condition.
- Recommend KMC for minimum 1 hour and inform about the benefits of KMC.
- The most stressful aspect of KMC is transfering the baby in and out of the bed.
Be gentle and careful when carrying the baby.

Duration​

Start with minimum 1 hour and increase due to baby and mother’s needs.
Recommended to be performed 24 hours a day. Never interrupt KMC if babys condition is stable on the caregivers’ chest.

Procedure​

  • Place the baby wearing only diaper between mother breast, skin to skin in an
    upright position.
  • The head in sideline position, slightly extended. Keep airway open and allow eye contact between mother and baby.
  • Hips should be flexed, a little extended and supported by one hand from mother. Arms flexed
  • Cover the baby with the gown. Use a wollen cap in wintertime.
  • Perfect position: Mother's epigstrium close to babies abdomen. Stimulates the baby’s breathing.
  • Encourage the baby to suckle at breast as often as the baby wants.
  • If sleeping in KMC a garment to secure the baby is needed.

Observations during KMC​

  • Continue observing babies breathing patterns and be aware of apnoeas.
  • Ensure that baby's neck is neutral, not too flexed or extended.
  • Assess the baby’s temperature, by gently toucing hands and feet.
  • Teach mother to pay attention and observe her baby. Observe changes in baby’s color.
  • Follow up baby’s feeding and wellbeing. Observe changes in awake and sleeping patterns.
  • Follow up mothers concerns and participation caring for her baby
  • One staff should always be available.
  • Nurses are responsible for teaching the mothers. Make sure the KMC-giver knows about benefits and observations during KMC.

References:​

Merenstein&Gardner2011,Neonatal Intensive Care.
Bera 2014 KMC Kolkata.
www.kmcindia.org
WHO,Dep.Reproductive Health and Research Kangaroo Mother Care-A practical guide

Document Information​

Archived Version

Version: 1.0 (Archived)
Published: August 3, 2015
Contributors: Senior neonatal project nurse Anne Marie Krokedal
View: Current Version