Skin-to-skin with your baby (Kangaroo Care): How to and Benefits

Kangaroo care is a way of holding a baby in direct skin-to-skin contact, typically by placing the baby on the chest of a parent or caregiver.

Kangaroo care began in 1978 in Colombia when a doctor facing a shortage of staff and equipment promoted it in his hospital. Babies held in this way showed improved outcomes, leading to its international adoption.

Parents can provide kangaroo care. In some units, other family members may also participate with parental permission and staff approval.

Sessions are most beneficial when they last more than an hour, though any amount of skin-to-skin contact can help your baby.

Other forms of touch, like hand-hugging or modified kangaroo care, can still provide comfort and bonding.

Hand-hugging involves placing one hand on your baby’s head and the other on their bottom. It’s especially useful for very new or fragile babies not ready for full skin-to-skin contact.

Modified kangaroo care is when a parent leans over the baby inside the incubator with the top open. This allows closeness and bonding even without removing the baby from the incubator.

Kangaroo care can help parents make more milk, bond with their baby, manage baby blues, prepare for breastfeeding, and feel more confident in their care role.

It helps babies sleep better, cry less, regulate their temperature and breathing, gain weight, develop their brain, and experience less pain.

Use the bathroom, have a snack, avoid perfumes and scented products, consider your pumping schedule, and always check with the care team about timing and readiness.