FAQ: How important is Skin to Skin? How does it benefit me and my child(ren) ?
Frequent and/or prolonged skin to skin contact between an infant and caregiver (mostly mother, and even father) is a very effective technique to
This is also called Kangaroo Care or Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC). This originated in developing countries where incubators and other technology were short in supply. In fact, in many tribal communities across the world, it’s a regular practice to keep the baby wrapped by a cloth onto the mother’s body. Skin to skin care (SSC) is a norm in many communities. It works wonders for not just preterm, or NICU or low birth weight babies, but also for full-term, healthy babies.
The Skin to Skin Care (SSC) or Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) method :
During SSC or KMC, the infant, clad only in a diaper and cap, is held in an upright prone position against the bare chest of the parent (most often the mother) and covered with clothing and/or a blanket. The duration of skin-to-skin contact is ideally maintained more or less 24/7, day in and day out. But it's not always possible. Thus, SSC sessions are usually kept for at least 1 to 3 hours.
Steps to practice SSC/KMC :
For full-term, healthy babies and for low birth weight or preterm babies after once they are stable, SSC/KMC can also be practised while walking.
References :
http://kangaroomothercare.com/
https://www.llli.org/breastfeeding-info/premies-kangaroo-care-skin-skin-contact/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3287094/
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