The benefits of immediate mother-baby kangaroo care also known as skin-to-skin contact, were corroborated by a pilot study reported in a November 2007 article in MCN: American Journal of Maternal-Child Nursing.

Researchers found that during birth kangaroo care, babies’ temperatures and blood glucose levels stabilized. Birthing room staff reported observing that most of the babies were able to crawl to the breast, latch on, and breastfeed.

Nurses were concerned that kangaroo mother care might add to their workload, but found that not to be the case. Also, physicians reported that immediate birth kangarooing distracted new mothers from any perineal repair.

It appears that birth kangaroo mother care is a win-win-win for babies, mothers, and staff.

Since completion of the pilot project, researchers have reported that there has been a significant change in the practice of separating mothers and babies after birth. More importantly, researchers report that, “Evidence based practice has taken on new meaning, and bedside nurses are inquiring about the science supporting routine practices.”

Change is truly the ultimate challenge and the ultimate reward.