Kangaroo mother care (KMC)

Question 1

What is Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC)?

Answer 1

Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) involves placing the infant, wearing only a nappy and woolen cap, against the mother’s bare chest, with the infant kept upright between her breasts.

Question 2

What is the primary purpose of KMC?

Answer 2

The primary purpose of KMC is to provide warmth and close contact between the infant and the mother, mimicking the natural environment of the womb and promoting bonding and attachment.

Question 3

What are some documented advantages of KMC?

Answer 3

Numerous studies have documented the many advantages of KMC, including
-better temperature control,
-reduced incidence of apnea,
-faster growth,
-improved bonding and breastfeeding,
-decreased risk of serious infection, and
-shorter hospital stays for infants.

Question 4

Can KMC be performed by fathers and other family members?

Answer 4

Yes, KMC can be performed by fathers and other family members as well, providing the same benefits of close contact and warmth for the infant.

Question 5

Why is KMC considered an important advancement in the management of small infants?

Answer 5

KMC is considered an important advancement in the management of small infants because it provides a low-cost, effective method of care that promotes infant well-being, supports breastfeeding, and enhances parent-infant bonding, leading to better health outcomes for both infants and parents.

Question 6

When can most mothers provide skin-to-skin care to their newborn infants?

Answer 6

Most mothers can provide skin-to-skin care to their newborn infants after delivery.

Question 7

What should be done once newborn infants have been dried, are breathing well, and the umbilical cord has been cut?

Answer 7

Once newborn infants have been dried, are breathing well, and the umbilical cord has been cut, they should be moved into the Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) position.

Question 8

What is the benefit of placing newborn infants in the KMC position after delivery?

Answer 8

Placing newborn infants in the KMC position allows the mother to meet her new infant while providing a warm and safe environment, facilitating bonding and promoting early breastfeeding.

Question 9

How does KMC after delivery help with early breastfeeding?

Answer 9

KMC after delivery helps with early breastfeeding by promoting close contact between the mother and infant, which stimulates breastfeeding cues and facilitates the initiation of breastfeeding.

Question 10

Why is it important to provide a warm and safe environment for newborn infants after delivery?

Answer 10

Providing a warm and safe environment for newborn infants after delivery is important for their comfort, well-being, and successful transition to extrauterine life. Skin-to-skin contact in the KMC position helps regulate the infant’s body temperature and promotes maternal-infant bonding, which are essential for their health and development.

Question 11

What is recommended if the infant is clinically stable during visiting times?

Answer 11

f the infant is clinically stable during visiting times, parents should be encouraged to sit beside the incubator and provide Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), also known as intermittent KMC

Question 12

What is the significance of intermittent KMC for preterm infants?

Answer 12

Intermittent KMC allows parents to provide skin-to-skin contact with their infants, which can promote bonding, regulate the infant’s temperature, and reduce the risk of nosocomial (hospital) infections by colonizing the infant with maternal organisms.

Question 13

What efforts should be made regarding feeding preterm infants?

Answer 13

Every effort should be made to feed preterm infants with breast milk, as it provides essential nutrients and helps prevent infections and other complications.

Question 14

What is a common practice among mothers giving KMC to their preterm infants?

Answer 14

Mothers giving KMC often lodge in the hospital to spend as much time as possible with their infants, facilitating continuous skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding

Question 15

What are the most important and cost-effective ways of preventing infection in preterm infants?

Answer 15

Clean hands, breast milk feeding, and Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) are the most important and cost-effective ways of preventing infection in preterm infants. These practices promote bonding, provide essential nutrients, and help regulate the infant’s temperature, reducing the risk of infections. Even the smallest infants benefit from periods of KMC, contributing to their overall well-being and development.

Question 16

What is recommended when healthy infants are big enough to move out of the incubator?

Answer 16

When healthy infants are big enough to move out of the incubator, the mother and infant should be admitted together to a Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) ward.

Question 17

What happens in a KMC ward?

Answer 17

In a KMC ward, mothers provide Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) day and night under the supervision of nursing staff, resulting in continuous KMC for the infant.

Question 18

When can a mother and infant be discharged from the hospital?

Answer 18

Once the infant is well, breastfeeding and gaining weight, and the mother can manage her infant, they can be discharged from the hospital and advised to continue KMC at home until the infant reaches 2500 g

Question 19

Why is it important to follow up with infants discharged from the hospital?

Answer 19

It is important to follow up with infants discharged from the hospital to monitor their progress and ensure continued growth and development.

Question 20

What are the benefits of having a KMC ward in a neonatal nursery?

Answer 20

Having a KMC ward nearby allows for earlier discharge of infants and reduces hospital costs. Additionally, it promotes bonding between the mother and infant, facilitates breastfeeding, and supports the infant’s growth and development in a nurturing environment.

Question 21

What is encouraged for mothers of small infants after discharge from the hospital?

Answer 21

Mothers of small infants should be encouraged to continue Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) after discharge from the hospital, especially if the home environment is cold. This is referred to as ambulatory KMC.

Question 22

Why is KMC particularly important in certain conditions such as winter or poor housing standards?

Answer 22

KMC is particularly important in conditions such as winter or poor housing standards because it helps regulate the infant’s temperature, promotes bonding, and reduces the risk of infections.

Question 23

How can KMC at home and frequent visits to the local well-infant clinic benefit preterm infants?

Answer 23

KMC at home, coupled with frequent visits to the local well-infant clinic, can help prevent readmissions to the hospital of preterm infants by providing ongoing support, monitoring, and guidance to mothers and infants.

Question 24

At what weight range do many nurseries now discharge infants for KMC at home?

Answer 24

Many nurseries now discharge KMC infants home at weights ranging from 1650 to 1750 grams.

Question 25

What is the typical frequency of visits to the local clinic for mothers of KMC infants during the first few weeks after discharge?

Answer 25

During the first few weeks after discharge, mothers of KMC infants often visit the local clinic each day or every two days for support, monitoring, and follow-up care.

Question 26

How can Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) be utilized during transport for small but stable infants?

Answer 26

KMC can be used to keep small but stable infants warm during transport to the hospital, clinic, or home. The infant is secured to the mother’s breasts over the vehicle’s safety belt.

Question 27

Why is KMC considered crucial during transport?

Answer 27

KMC ensures that infants remain warm and protected from hypothermia during transportation. By securing the infant to the mother’s chest, KMC utilizes the mother’s body heat to regulate the infant’s temperature.

Question 28

What is Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) considered in the realm of newborn care?

Answer 28

KMC is regarded as one of the most innovative and exciting recent developments in newborn care.

Question 29

What are some characteristics of KMC that contribute to its widespread adoption?

Answer 29

KMC is inexpensive, simple to implement, and is increasingly utilized in both impoverished and affluent nations.

Question 30

Apart from its practicality, what role does KMC play in the mother-infant relationship?

Answer 30

KMC not only provides effective care for newborns but also enables mothers to take a more active role in caring for their infants.

Question 31

How early is KMC initiated, and in which infants is it commonly employed?

Answer 31

KMC is initiated immediately after delivery and is commonly used in stable preterm infants. It aids in stabilizing their breathing and heart rate while reducing the risk of apnea

Question 32

What are some benefits observed in small infants receiving KMC?

Answer 32

Small infants receiving KMC tend to experience improved sleep, reduced crying, and accelerated growth rates.

Question 33

Can KMC be used for term infants, and are there any considerations for larger infants?

Answer 33

Yes, KMC can be utilized for term infants as well. However, some infants weighing over 2500 grams may feel hot and uncomfortable when receiving KMC.

Question 34

How has the introduction of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) impacted neonatal morbidity and mortality rates in small, rural hospitals?

Answer 34

The introduction of KMC has led to a dramatic reduction in neonatal morbidity and mortality rates of preterm infants in many small, rural hospitals with limited facilities and staffing

Question 35

What is significant about the impact of KMC on neonatal outcomes in such hospitals?

Answer 35

KMC has proven to be highly effective even in settings with limited resources and staffing, demonstrating its potential to improve newborn care outcomes irrespective of the hospital’s size or capacity.