Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC)
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Kangaroo Mother Care (Kmc): Nature’s Gift To Your Little Ones
Breast milk is the most preferred and ideal food for overall development of infants. It is safe, clean and contains optimal nutrition and essential antibodies, which help protect against many common childhood illnesses. All babies need only breast milk upto first 6 months. Many mothers continue feeding their babies after 6 months. However, after 6 months the baby needs weaning diet along with breast milk.
Benefits of KMC
- Boil the milk, pour it in a clean, sterile and capped steel or food-grade glass container, and store it in refrigerator.
- Use the refrigerated milk within 24 to 48 hours.
- After fifth month, rice and cereal’s watery soup (pej) should be given.
- In sixth to ninth month, boiled and mashed potato, sweet potato, milk, biscuits, soft rice-moog dal (i.e. Varan Bhat) mutton-chicken soup, egg yolk (i.e. yellow part of boiled eggs), soft Shira (i.e. sweet semolina) and soft Uppit (i.e. lightly salty semolina) should be given. (All this should be prepared with a little spice, salt and oil)
- It protects baby from hypothermia (i.e. cold)
- It reduces the baby’s stay in hospital and allows for early discharge of the baby to the family.
Who should be given KMC?
Eligibility of a Baby for KMC
KMC is given to a premature baby, a low birth weight (LBW) babies having weight less than 2500 grams and requiring NICU Incubator. It is always beneficial to provide KMC to every newborn infant during the initial period of its birth.
Eligibility of a Mother for KMC
- Irrespective of her age and religion, the mother should be voluntarily desirous for KMC.
- She should have taken a proper healthy diet during KMC and breastfeeding.
- She should be alert about hygiene.
- Her family members should fully support her for KMC.
- She should provide enough time for the baby.
Mother’s Clothing
During KMC, mother’s attire should be clean, sterile open front (loose Blouse and Saree is the best) and comfortable to both, mother and baby.
Baby’s Clothing
Baby should be dressed with cap, sox, nappy and front opening shirt. Even fully naked baby may be given to the mother for KMC.
Position of KMC
The baby’s head should be turned to one side so that the baby can breathe easily and eye-to-eye contact between the mother and the baby is achieved. The back of the baby should be slightly compressed (i.e. hip-flexed and frog position) With baby’s hands shrinking, its stomach should be on the upper part of the mother’s abdomen (i.e. Epigastrium) so that the baby gets stimulation as the mother breathes and minimizes the possibility of stoppage of or interruptions in baby’s breathing. Support the baby’s bottom with cloth (sling) or use Kangaroo Binder.
Precautions to be taken during KMC process
- While performing KMC, seek training from Doctor and Nurse in the initial period.
- While performing KMC the baby’s neck needs to be stretched a lot. Therefore, the mother should support the baby and turn its neck to the other side.
- Pay attention to baby’s colour, movement and breathing.
How to breastfeed during KMC?
According to baby’s condition and Doctor’s advice, the mother should breastfeed the baby during KMC.
What should be the duration of KMC?
KMC may be given for minimum 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour in the evening during 24 hours.
What is the ideal environment for KMC?
KMC is an emotional and physiological process. For that, the mother should be comfortable and settled. The mother should be secluded while providing KMC. KMC can be provided during sleep and rest. This reduces the stress. For that, the mother should sleep keeping pillow in 15 degree.
When to discontinue KMC?
KMC may be discontinued when the baby’s weight crosses 2500 grams and age beyond 37 weeks. When the baby starts wriggling to show uncomforted, pulls limbs out, cries heavily, the KMC may be discontinued on Doctor’s advice. Doctor’s advice has to be sought before starting and discontinuing KMC.