LECTURE EXTENSION More on Kangaroo Baby Care (p. 147)
You can supplement your lecture with additional information on kangaroo baby care (also called kangaroo mother care), an intervention for preterm infants which operates on the premise that close bodily contact between the mother and baby can enhance development and increase infant survival. Not only is kangaroo mother care an effective technique for reducing neonatal mortality, its benefits are universal, in that it does not require sophisticated or expensive equipment to implement. As such, it can be applied in both wealthy and low-income countries (Cattaneo, et al., 1998). In kangaroo mother care, the mother usually holds her diapered infant beneath her clothing-either between her breasts or on one breast (Anderson, 1995). Advocates for this technique believe that skin-to-skin contact enhances a mother's confidence in detecting and responding to her baby's cues. Moreover, it increases maternal perceptions of competence and self-efficacy, thereby decreasing the stress and anxiety associated with caring for a premature infant (Tessier, et al., 1998). Ludington-Hoe and associates (1999) examined the effects of kangaroo mother care on preterm babies' recovery following birth. Instead of sending the preterm babies in this study to an intensive care unit, the babies were immediately placed on their mother's chests for the first 6 hours after birth. The authors found that the babies' body temperature, heart rate, and respiration rate rapidly reached the normal range, suggesting that kangaroo mother care is as effective as an incubator. Anderson, G. C. (1995). Touch and the kangaroo method. In T. M. Field (Ed.), Touch in early development (pp. 35-51). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.
Cattaneo, A., Davanzo, R., Uxa, F., & Tamburlini, G. (1998). Recommendations for the implementation of kangaroo mother care. International network on kangaroo mother care. Acta Paediatrica, 87, 440-445.
Ludington-Hoe, S. M., Anderson, G.C., Simpson, S., Hollingsead, A., Argote, L.A., & Rey, H. (1999). Birth-related fatigue in 34-36-week preterm neonates: Rapid recovery with very early kangaroo (skin- to-skin) care. Journal of Obstetric Gynecological Neonatal Nursing, 28, 94-103.
Tessier, R., Cristo, M., Valez, S., Giron, M., deCalume, Z. F., Ruiz-Palaez, J. G., Charpak, Y., & Charpak, N. (1998). Kangaroo mother care and the bonding hypothesis. Pediatrics, 102, 1-17. LEARNING ACTIVITY Interviewing Mothers and Fathers About Adjustment to Parenthood (p. 161)
The demands of parenthood disrupt the routines of the husband and wife and change their lifestyles in ways that are often permanent. Have students speak with the parents of a newborn (first-time parents, if possible) to find out how the arrival of the baby has changed their daily lives. If they do not know a family with a newborn, perhaps they can find one through a local child care center. Students might ask questions regarding parents' expectations versus reality. What aspect most surprised them about becoming a parent? Have both parents continued their employment? Are they adopting more traditional roles or more shared responsibilities? In what ways has the husband/wife relationship changed? How do they handle the stress involved in the constant care of a newborn? What is the biggest adjustment each parent has had to make?
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