What is kangaroo care?

Kangaroo care is when you hold your baby to your bare chest. Your baby should be wearing just a nappy and maybe also a hat. This allows your baby to have skin-to-skin contact with you.

You can hold your baby upright with their head to one side. One hand should support your baby's head and the other is placed over their bottom. You can also hold them in a side lying position.

Once you are holding your baby skin-to-skin, your clothes or a blanket are wrapped around your baby in a kangaroo-like pouch. This helps to keep them warm.

During skin-to-skin care, you can use a mirror to see your baby's face.

Many maternity hospitals encourage skin-to-skin contact straight after birth if both the baby and mother are well.

Kangaroo care can be given to babies who are full term, either in hospital or at home. It can also be used in babies who are premature or unwell and being cared for in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or special care nursery (SCN).

Even babies who need breathing support and are on a ventilator receiving oxygen can have kangaroo care. Ideally, kangaroo care happens within the first few days of birth.

Maternity care providers generally recommend that parents practise kangaroo care as soon and as frequently as possible. However, babies of any age benefit from kangaroo care.

Kangaroo care has a range of benefits. It can:

• help regulate your baby's heartbeat and breathing
• improve your baby's weight gain
• reduce your baby's risk of infection
• improve your baby's oxygen levels
• help your baby maintain their body temperature
• support longer periods of quiet, calm sleep
• help your baby access their mother's breasts so breastfeeding is easier
• help to support your baby's brain development

Kangaroo care may help reduce pain when babies have medical procedures. It can also reduce stress for the parents and baby during these procedures.

Skin-to-skin contact during vaccination can also reduce distress in babies aged up to one month.

Kangaroo care provides parents with many benefits, particularly in:

• boosting the bonding process and emotional attachment
• building confidence in handling your baby
• supporting early breastfeeding and milk production
• reducing stress and anxiety

It's important that you are mindful and 'present' when you're providing kangaroo care.

Here are some practical tips for getting ready for kangaroo care, either in hospital or at home.

1. Wear a shirt which easily opens down the front, or wear a front-opening hospital gown.
2. It helps to remove your bra or under garments so that your baby has free access to your breasts.
3. Have a pillow or 2 for support — and make sure you have a blanket to place over your baby.
4. Avoid using any strong perfumes, body wash or powders. It's important that your baby can smell you.
5. Sit in a comfortable chair with arm rests and a high, supportive back. Use or ask for a footrest if you want one.
6. Go to the toilet beforehand, have a drink beside you and focus on your own comfort as well.
7. Speak gently to your baby and tell them what's happening. You can also hum or sing to your baby so that they can hear your voice.
8. Be sensitive to your baby's cues or signals — this will help you understand their feelings.

Miracle Babies Foundation supports premature and sick newborns and their families — call the NutureLine helpline on 1300 622 243 for 24-hour family support.

The Australian Breastfeeding Association has information on breastfeeding and baby care — call the Breastfeeding Helpline on 1800 686 268 (1800 mum 2 mum).