The Effect of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) on Breast Feeding at the Time of NICU Discharge

Abstract

BackgroundExclusive breastfeeding is one of the most important essential components of Kangaroo Mother Care.ObjectiveThis study was performed to evaluate the effects of KMC on exclusive breastfeeding just at the time of discharge.Patients and MethodsIn this cross sectional study, 251 consecutive premature newborns admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) between May 2008 and May 2009 in Alzahra University Hospital in Tabriz were evaluated. All of candidate mothers were educated for KMC method by scheduled program. Standard questionnaire was prepared by focus group discussion, and mothers filled it prior to infant hospital discharge.ResultsIn this study 157(62.5%) mothers performed kangaroo mother care (KMC group) versus 94 (37.5%) in conventional method care (CMC group). In KMC group exclusive breast feeding was 98 (62.5%) vs. 34 (37.5%), and P =.00 in CMC group, at the time of hospital discharge. Receiving KMC, and gestational age were the only effective factors predicting exclusive breastfeeding. Our result indicated that there was a 4.1 time increase in exclusive breastfeeding by KMC, and also weekly increase in gestational age increased it 1.2 times, but maternal age, birth weight, mode of delivery, and 5 minute Apgar score had no influence on it.ConclusionsKMC is more effective, and increases exclusive breast feeding successfully. It can be a good substitution for CMC (conventional methods of care). It is a safe, effective, and feasible method of care for LBWI even in the NICU settings.

Kangaroo Care: Experiences and Needs of Parents in Neonatal Intensive Care: A Systematic Review ‘Parents’ Experience of Kangaroo Care’

“…This is in contrast with findings in other studies describing KC as having positive effects on the performance and duration of breastfeeding [20,43,44]. This difference in outcome might be explained by the fact that other studies used quantitative methods to measure the breastfeeding performance.…”

Critical analyses of the implications of Kangaroo Mother Care on a preterm infant

“…From the onset this program consists of two major parts; eating and sleeping. When the infant wakes on mother's chest, the breasts are near and very little work is required to get to them and feed (Heidarzadeh et al 2013). Caruna (2008 believes that once the infant has fed it will go to sleep and it is only when the infant is on the mother's body will this sleep be the right quality for brain wiring.…”

A study on breastfeeding initiation in low birth weight and very low birth weight babies and their developmental outcome with special reference to kangaroo mother care

“…Similar significance was found in other study. [20][21][22][23][24] In this study, 35% had health problems in cases and 65 % in control with significant difference. Similarly, nearly 45% of the infants had health problems in a study conducted by Lakew W et al 25 50% of infants had respiratory distress with oxygen requirement among case group and 40% in control.…”

“…In another study, though similar non significance was found by Swarnakar K et al, (Case -11.49+1.7, Control-12.59+2.63) and RP Suman et al, (Case -12.78±6.27 and control -12.86±5.77), the duration of stay was found to be less. 20,23,24 90% were exclusively breast fed in cases and 72% in control, with significant difference between the groups. Similar significance was found in other study.…”

“…20 This is in contrast with the study by Heidarzadeh M et al, where there was no significant difference found between the Apgar score at 5 min and the groups. 23 The mean birth weight of the babies in cases and controls was1700 and 1580 gr respectively. There was significant difference between the mean birth weight and the groups.…”