Kangaroo Mother Care is characterized by initiating bonding between the baby and its caregiver and is particularly beneficial for babies who do not complete the full 38 weeks gestation in their mothers wombs. Many people subscribe to the misconception that an incubator is a better means of providing care to their preterm babies since it is scientifically engineered and proven to deliver results. This concept has come about because incubators successfully allow infants to achieve the same growth as fully grown babies. However, the Kangaroo Mother Care system is an ideal complimentary practice for parents looking for a cost effective and natural means of care. The benefits of this technique exceed those of an incubator and this article will aim at putting any concerns to rest.
Under the Kangaroo Mother Care technique of care, the infant is administered skin-to-skin contact by being placed on his mother or fathers chest. Typically, the mother fulfills this role since it also facilitates breast feeding thus reducing the need to separate the care giver and child. The baby is often placed on his/her stomach and wrapped onto the chest of the mother supported with a wrap to achieve close physical contact. Apart from promoting attachment and bonding between the mother and newborn, there are immense physical and psychological benefits associated with this particular type of care.
Scientific studies have proven that babies are prompted to believe that they are still in the womb for the warmth and closeness provided via this technique tantamount to the environment in the uterus. This reduces the stress levels, which in turn promotes growth of the baby.
On a similar note, when the baby is placed on the chest of his mother, the mothers breasts respond automatically to the temperature requirements of the baby. When the babys body temperature is dropping, the breasts begin to exude an increased amount of heat to ensure the infant is able to maintain optimal bodily temperature. This thermal synchronization works the other way round as well, reducing the amount of heat exuded when a baby exhibits rising temperatures.
The Kangaroo Mother Care technique also carries ample advantages to boost the immune system of the developing baby. Prior to studies on Kangaroo Mother Care, it was widely accepted that the mothers touch encourages healing and strengthens the immune system of the infant. Under this treatment method, the skin contact is amplified significantly. As a result of increased intimacy, the babys breathing and heart beat also become stronger, due to synchronization with the mothers own respiratory and cardio functions. The result of this method is a healthier and more confident infant and it does not necessarily need apply only to premature infants.
Kangaroo Mother Care is a widely accepted method of improving the survival rates of infants who are born before term. Most parents and sometimes even healthcare systems in countries are unable to support the increased expenses related to incubators and other medical requirements. Kangaroo Mother Care is deemed to be a highly successful means to improve infant mortality rates, not only for patients in developing countries, but urban cities and developed countries as well.
Under the Kangaroo Mother Care technique of care, the infant is administered skin-to-skin contact by being placed on his mother or fathers chest. Typically, the mother fulfills this role since it also facilitates breast feeding thus reducing the need to separate the care giver and child. The baby is often placed on his/her stomach and wrapped onto the chest of the mother supported with a wrap to achieve close physical contact. Apart from promoting attachment and bonding between the mother and newborn, there are immense physical and psychological benefits associated with this particular type of care.
Scientific studies have proven that babies are prompted to believe that they are still in the womb for the warmth and closeness provided via this technique tantamount to the environment in the uterus. This reduces the stress levels, which in turn promotes growth of the baby.
On a similar note, when the baby is placed on the chest of his mother, the mothers breasts respond automatically to the temperature requirements of the baby. When the babys body temperature is dropping, the breasts begin to exude an increased amount of heat to ensure the infant is able to maintain optimal bodily temperature. This thermal synchronization works the other way round as well, reducing the amount of heat exuded when a baby exhibits rising temperatures.
The Kangaroo Mother Care technique also carries ample advantages to boost the immune system of the developing baby. Prior to studies on Kangaroo Mother Care, it was widely accepted that the mothers touch encourages healing and strengthens the immune system of the infant. Under this treatment method, the skin contact is amplified significantly. As a result of increased intimacy, the babys breathing and heart beat also become stronger, due to synchronization with the mothers own respiratory and cardio functions. The result of this method is a healthier and more confident infant and it does not necessarily need apply only to premature infants.
Kangaroo Mother Care is a widely accepted method of improving the survival rates of infants who are born before term. Most parents and sometimes even healthcare systems in countries are unable to support the increased expenses related to incubators and other medical requirements. Kangaroo Mother Care is deemed to be a highly successful means to improve infant mortality rates, not only for patients in developing countries, but urban cities and developed countries as well.
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