Exploratory study of fathers providing Kangaroo Care in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Aim and Objectives: To explore fathers' views and experiences of providing Kangaroo Care (KC) to their baby cared for in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).Background: Kangaroo Care has been known to improve the health outcome for preterm, low birth weight and medically vulnerable term infants and achieve the optimal perinatal health wellbeing for parents and infants. Historically, mothers are considered as the dominant KC providers, whereas fathers are spectators and have been overlooked. Little is known about the fathers' perspectives in providing KC in NICUs.Methods: Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 fathers who delivered KC to their baby when in the NICU. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke's six-phase thematical framework. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist was followed to report this qualitative study.Findings: Fathers in this study identified they were passing a silent language of love and connecting with their baby by the act of KC in a challenging environment.Three themes emerged: 'Positive psychological connection', 'Embracing father-infant Kangaroo Care' and 'Challenges to father-infant Kangaroo Care'. Conclusion:The findings of this study show KC enhances the bonding and attachment between fathers and infants. The conceptualisation of the paternal role in caregiving to a newborn is evolving as a contemporary practice. Further research is warranted to confirm or refute the study findings. Policies and facilities should be modified to include father-infant KC within the fields of neonatal care.

Parents’ Perception and Use of Skin-to-Skin Care in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Another qualitative study from Australia showed that fathers perceived positive experiences of SSC in the NICU setting. Fathers perceived SSC enhanced their bonding and attachment with their babies [ 38 ]. Another study from Turkey found that fathers' SSC improved babies' physiological parameters and stability [ 39 ].…”

“…Worldwide, several studies have assessed the positive impact of SSC on the outcomes of babies and fathers [31,[37][38][39]. A study examining the effect of SSC between fathers and newborns on the attachment relationship in northern Taiwan found a higher significant attachment score (measured by the Father-Child Attachment Scale) in fathers who practiced SSC compared to those who did not [37].…”

Effective and simple interventions to improve outcomes for preterm infants worldwide: The FIGO PremPrep‐5 initiative

“…38 Furthermore, where kangaroo care is commenced within 24 hours of birth (rather than delaying beyond this point), there is a reduction in nosocomial sepsis and hypothermia. 38 Kangaroo care improves parent-infant bonding and increases parental confidence in looking after their infant 41,42 ; it has also been shown to reduce severe postnatal depression. 42 A longer-term follow-up of infants who participated in randomized controlled trials of kangaroo care demonstrated better neurological, behavioral, and education outcomes in children who had kangaroo care than those who did not.…”

Aleitamento materno exclusivo e uso da bolsa canguru em bebês a termo entre o primeiro e segundo mês de idade

“…O ALCON é um ambiente que favorece a não separação entre mãe e bebê no período pós-parto, estimula o aleitamento materno desde o nascimento até a alta hospitalar e influencia no sucesso da amamentação após a alta (6) . Destaca-se que, além da mãe, o pai pode realizar a posição canguru com seu filho e receber benefícios dessa prática, como o aumento do apego e vínculo entre pais e filhos (7) .…”