Kangaroo Mother Care: Natural Newborn Bonding

What is kangaroo mother care?

There's nothing more sacred than those first few moments of holding your newborn. The bond can make you both feel so secure and connected. But did you know that there are scientifically proven benefits to this instinctual act? Kangaroo mother care encourages skin-to-skin contact, nourishing your baby through breastfeeding if possible, and a hands-on approach to parental care in your babies' early days. And it can help the baby in so many ways.

The benefits of kangaroo mother care

When adjusting to your new routine after coming home from the hospital, lots of new moms find that keeping your baby close by babywearing can be very liberating. Babywearing allows you to still use your hands and breastfeed without having to wonder about your baby's comfort or safety, naturally strengthening your bond. If you are breastfeeding, kangaroo mother care can help ease the latching and comfortable feeding learning curve while you find your groove. Always speak to a lactation consultant or your doctor if you're struggling!

In addition to making your life easier, research has shown that skin-to-skin contact with your baby increases your her sensory neural pathway connections. Skin-to-skin helps keep your baby calm so her body can focus on the development of growing organs and metabolism. Kangaroo Mother Care also provides many social and emotional benefits since feeling consistently safe offers a boost to your baby's overall social and emotional development.

Kangaroo mother care and prematurity

Premature babies can benefit the most from Kangaroo Mother Care because of the comfort provided. When a baby is born prematurely, maintaining her heart rate and breathing becomes essential. In 2004, a study was conducted on two groups of premature babies. The first group practiced skin-to-skin contact beginning at birth. The study found that these babies stabilized within six hours! In contrast, the second group was placed on ventilators, and only half of the babies were able to stabilize in the same amount of time. (Source) Who knew snuggles could be so important?!

How to make kangaroo mother care work for you

At Covered Goods, we know the information about how to care for your newborn can be overwhelming. So here are some simple tips for you to keep in mind (from one kangaroo mama to another):

• Try a Covered Goods multi-use cover: Our original design was created to simplify motherhood, and the possibility of uses are limitless! It provides privacy and comfort when breastfeeding. It can also help protect your baby from the sun and other elements. More-uses include; infinity scarf, car seat cover, shopping cart cover, high chair cover at restaurants, or even a blanket. All in one easy to use product! 
• Invest in a quality wrap or carrier: You have a lot of options to choose from! Whether you pick a woven wrap you can tie to your comfort level, a ring sling that's easy to adjust, or a grab-and-go stretchy sling that slips on without a struggle. New mommas have a wide variety of available options, from woven wraps to ring slings, or a grab-and-go stretchy sling, just to name a few. Each option has different comfort levels and possible adjustments, so be sure to shop around and try different carriers because you will use it every day! (PRO MOM TIP: when wearing your baby carrier, use your multi-use cover as a poncho to add an extra layer of comfort and protection for you and your baby.)
• Practice, practice, practice: Practice makes perfect, right? If you start out with kangaroo mother care directly after birth, you will find it quickly becomes second nature. When your little get a bit bigger and more wiggly, practicing new carries at home first can make journeys into the world less stressful.

Kangaroo mother care can go a long way in easing the transition for you and your family. The most important thing to remember is finding a system that works for you. Don't forget, mama knows best!

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