Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC)
KMC is an important pillar of our neonatal care. It improves rates of breastfeeding, mother-infant bonding, nosocomial infection rates etc. KMC comprises: Kangaroo position: baby upright, skin-to-skin against the mother (or father) between her breasts Breastfeeding/breast milk wherever possible Early discharge with increased outpatient support Please encourage all women to practice KMC , whether
KMC is an important pillar of our neonatal care. It improves rates of breastfeeding, mother-infant bonding, nosocomial infection rates etc.
KMC comprises:
- Kangaroo position: baby upright, skin-to-skin against the mother (or father) between her breasts
- Breastfeeding/breast milk wherever possible
- Early discharge with increased outpatient support
Please encourage all women to practice KMC, whether their babies are term or preterm. KMC can be done intermittently or continuously. Whether intermittent or continuous KMC is planned, the mother should have been well counseled about KMC, how to do KMC and should understand that her baby still needs observations, particularly if it is a small and immature baby.
Intermittent KMC should be initiated first. It is done in the 16b cubicles alongside the incubator or crib. If the baby is stable the mother can carry the baby around in the kangaroo pouch, but should remain in the 16b area in case of problems. Please prescribe “intermittent KMC” on the non-drug orders list.
Criteria for starting intermittent KMC:
- Both preterm and term infants are eligible for KMC
- Infants should be “stable” e.g. not in severe respiratory distress, or having apnoeas, sepsis or other acute problems
- Babies of BW<1200g should be at least 72 hours old
- If the baby is on oxygen this should be able to be given by nasal prongs
- If the baby is on phototherapy KMC should only be used for short periods
Continuous KMC is done in the KMC ward. Mothers should be sent for KMC orientation as soon as their babies are stable. Babies that are eligible for KMC:
- Preterm babies awaiting weight gain
- Babies that are no longer on oxygen or iv antibiotics
- Babies with feeding difficulties
Encourage the use of KMC pouches, as this will allow women to get up and walk around with their baby still in KMC position.
Infant feeding:
- HIV-negative women: prescribe expressed breast milk/breastfeeding. Prescribe that the baby should only receive formula milk when mother is not available. EBM can be kept in the fridge for 48 hours.
- HIV-infected women: women to decide on their feeding practice. In some cases this may be formula milk. The appropriate formula should be prescribed.
Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital - Neonatal Care Handbook 2023; Kangaroo mother care (KMC)
Last checked for updates: January 2024