May 17, 2021

TriHealth promotes healthy development and bonding for moms and babies, especially around this past Mother’s Day. TriHealth Good Samaritan Hospital NICU is one of several hospitals across the country that participated in the first ever Kangaroo-a-thon. The event was sponsored by Pampers to promote healthy development for babies and to help parents feel more connected to their littlest fighters in the NICU.

Kangaroo Care takes place immediately after birth. Newborns are dried off and placed on the mother’s chest and both mom and baby will be covered by warm blankets. Mom and baby may remain skin-to-skin for up to two hours after delivery. Parents in the NICU are encouraged to continue with skin-to-skin time.

The transition to the outside world is very stressful for baby and medical evidence has shown that the practice of Kangaroo Care can ease this adjustment. The practice reduces frantic crying, therefore reducing the release of stress hormones that can cause complications for newborns. Additionally, this practice helps baby stabilize respiration and oxygenation, increases glucose levels, helps baby maintain optimal temperature and importantly increases breastfeeding initiation and duration.

There are many benefits for mom including bonding with baby, decreased bleeding, reduction in mother’s stress hormones, aids confidence and comfort in the handling of her infant and supports breastfeeding success.

Check out the video below to learn more: