Kangaroo Mother Care
Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) has transformed neonatal survival and long-term outcomes for preterm and low-birth-weight infants worldwide. Kangaroo Mother Care emphasises continuous skin-to-skin contact, exclusive breastfeeding whenever possible, caregiver–infant bonding, and early discharge supported by close follow-up. This session explores how KMC can be implemented safely, consistently, and compassionately across neonatal units, maternity wards, and community settings.
With growing research and global momentum, many professionals actively look for an Neonatology Conference to understand updated guidelines, implementation strategies, and culturally adaptable approaches. This session examines how KMC stabilises thermoregulation, improves oxygenation, reduces infection risk, enhances neurodevelopment, and strengthens breastfeeding outcomes. Participants will learn how to recognise when infants are ready for KMC, how to monitor stability, and how to provide stepwise support to caregivers who may initially feel hesitant or overwhelmed.
A significant focus is the integration of neonatal kangaroo care practice into routine workflows, rather than limiting it to specialised or high-resource centres. Through case examples, attendees will explore models for KMC lounges, bedside recliners, family-participation wards, and community KMC follow-up. The session also highlights challenges such as staff shortages, space limitations, cultural norms, maternal illness, and the needs of fathers or alternative caregivers. Emphasis is placed on adaptable solutions that can be implemented in rural, urban, low-resource, and high-acuity settings.
Participants will also examine communication strategies for introducing KMC to families, addressing concerns about safety, positioning, breastfeeding challenges, and caregiver fatigue. The session discusses how to engage family members as active partners, how to document KMC hours, and how to ensure continuity post-discharge through home visits, digital follow-up, or community health workers. By the end, attendees will feel confident in advocating for and implementing KMC as a core component of neonatal care, not a secondary option.
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Submit Your Abstract Here →Core Themes in Kangaroo Mother Care
Stabilisation and physiological benefits
- Understanding how skin-to-skin care supports temperature, heart rate, and oxygen stability in preterm infants.
- Recognising which infants are suitable for KMC and how to transition safely from incubator care.
Breastfeeding and nutritional outcomes
- Integrating KMC to promote early latch, milk transfer, and maternal confidence.
- Managing challenges such as low supply, preterm suck coordination, and maternal discomfort.
Caregiver bonding and emotional wellbeing
- Supporting secure attachment and reduced parental anxiety through consistent KMC opportunities.
- Addressing caregiver concerns about fragility, positioning, and handling of medically vulnerable newborns.
Implementation and sustainability
- Embedding KMC into staff routines, documentation, and discharge planning.
- Creating supportive environments with chairs, privacy spaces, and caregiver education tools.
Practice Insights and Service Strategies
Training staff in safe KMC positioning
Ensuring all providers can guide stable, ergonomic, and culturally appropriate positioning.
Designing family-friendly spaces
Creating quiet, comfortable, and private KMC areas that enable long sessions without interruption.
Engaging families as partners
Encouraging mothers, fathers, and extended caregivers to share KMC responsibilities.
Documenting and tracking KMC hours
Using logs, checklists, or digital tools to track progress and identify barriers.
Supporting post-discharge KMC
Linking families with community programs, teleconsults, and follow-up clinics.
Adapting KMC for complex cases
Providing modified approaches for infants with oxygen support, IV lines, or medical comorbidities.
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