Kangaroo care
Abbreviation: KMC
Kangaroo care is a specific form of skin-to-skin contact developed for preterm or low-birth-weight babies in the NICU. The baby, wearing only a diaper, is held upright against a parent's bare chest for extended periods each day. This position mimics the warmth and closeness of the womb and has been shown to improve weight gain, stabilise breathing, reduce infection risk, and support brain development. It also helps mothers maintain milk supply and builds a strong emotional bond even when a baby cannot yet come home.
What This Means for You
Understanding Kangaroo care is an important part of your newborn/postpartum journey. In your baby's first year, you will hear this term from your paediatrician and in parenting communities. Knowing what it means helps you respond quickly and confidently.
Explore our Baby hubGood to Know
KKH and NUH both encourage parents of NICU babies to participate in kangaroo mother care as soon as the medical team confirms the baby is stable enough.
Related Terms
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-data/mpinc/supporting-evidence.html
Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised advice.
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