Holding baby skin-to-skin is called Kangaroo Care. Baby is placed naked except for a diaper & hat against a bare chest of a loved one. A blanket can be placed over the kangaroo pair to keep warm. Kangaroo Care can be scary in the early days and for the tiniest and most fragile babes even longer. Using a Zaky ZAK can reduce the fear and empower families to kangaroo more often and longer while also securing the sweet babies supporting beneficial outcomes for both families and babies.
What are the benefits of kangaroo care?
Good for premature babies & team babies, mamas & daddies and even grands!
Benefits for Baby {include but are not limited to}
- Stabilizing baby’s heart rate.
- Improving baby’s breathing pattern
- Improving oxygen saturation levels
- Improved sleep time
- Decreasing crying.
- Having more successful breastfeeding episodes.
- Having an earlier hospital discharge.
Benefits for Care Giver {include but are not limited to}
- Improving bonding with your baby and the feeling of closeness.
- Increasing your breast milk supply {for mamas}.
- Increasing your confidence in the ability to care for your new baby.
- Improved sense of calm.
How do I do kangaroo care?
To start, ask your nurse to help you transfer your baby into kangaroo care. Below are a few tips and tricks for having a great kangaroo experience:
- Make sure that you are bare chest, removing your bra. Remove your shirt or wear a shirt that opens in the front. If you are in a hospital gown, make sure the gown opens in the front.
- Baby will be transferred to your chest, only wearing a diaper and hat. Bare chest skin-to-skin with baby’s body. Your baby will be in an upright position, hear to heart.
- Bring a blanket from home to cover up with. Drape a blanket over your baby’s back and your shoulders. Keeping your baby warm and comfortable while snuggled against your chest.
- Relax. Breathe. During your kangaroo session take a few deep slow breaths in, drop your shoulders away from your ears. relax.
- Use a mirror to look at your little one versus kinking your neck to see reducing your airflow while holing.
- Get ready to settle in: Plan to stay in Kangaroo for one care cycle 2-3 hours. Sometimes that is not possible, kangaroo when you can for as long as you can.
- Let your baby rest. Kangaroo Care is a great time to let your baby rest and relax. Allow your baby to snuggle in and sleep during the session.
