Kangaroo care is a term for skin to skin contact with your premature or full-term baby. It has be been shown to be beneficial for your baby and for the breastfeeding mother. Kangaroo care causes an increase in prolactin. Prolactin stimulates milk production.
Researchers have found many important benefits to kangaroo care in premature infants. It helps heart rate stability, breathing, sleep paterns, and so much more. Not to mention that your breast milk is easily accessible. It can be as simple as holding your baby on your bare chest in a comfortable recliner with baby wearing a diaper.
One of the most important benefits to kangaroo care is experiencing the closeness to your child. Whether your child was a preemie or full-term, being able to be close to baby reassures your child of your loving presence. Nothing could be more reassuring to your child. By having skin to skin contact, you are providing all the warmth and love that you have to give.
To see benefits, kangaroo care must be done at least one hour or more each day. Breastfeeding on demand and practicing kangaroo care is an excellent way to increase low breast milk supply and production.
