Kangaroo care is regular, prolonged skin-to-skin contact between a parent and their baby, with the baby wearing only a nappy on the parent's bare chest. It was developed for preterm and low-birth-weight babies and is now used for full-term newborns too.
Key takeaways
- It helps regulate a baby's temperature, heart rate and breathing.
- It supports breastfeeding and bonding.
- Both mothers and fathers or partners can do it.
What you can do
- Place your baby upright on your chest with their head turned to one side and nose and mouth clear.
- Cover their back with a blanket or your clothing.
- If you feel drowsy, move your baby to their own safe sleep space.
