Instructions





Kangaroo Care
Kangaroo Care is a method of skin-to-skin contact used to promote parent/infant bonding, especially for premature babies. It is the practice of holding an infant dressed only in a diaper between a mother's bare breasts or on father's chest, similar to a kangaroo carrying its young. Through contact with their parent's skin, the babies remain warm and can interact with their parents.

The Research
Dr.Nils Bergman has done comprehensive research to promote the concept of bringing the mother and baby together as almost a single entity. His studies show that babies have a biological need for skin-on-skin, and that a mother's body responds to this need. Dr.Bergman's research concludes:

    A mother's chest temperature changes to meet her baby's needs, rising if baby is cold and decreasing if the infant becomes too warm. The mother's chest responds through biofeedback, doing a superior job to a traditional incubator.
    A baby's stress hormones, blood pressure, oxygenation, temperature, and heart rate stabilize with skin-on-skin contact. These findings are changing hospital practices for the better. Babies are more likely to be left on their mothers for at least an hour after bitrh in order to assist in this vital sign stabilization. This is also true before and after any invasive procedure such as drawing blood.
    A baby that experiences skin-on-skin is more likely to breastfeed without problems. Such close contact "elicits care-giving and protective behaviors."


Skin-on-Skin and Breastfeeding
Mothers who practice skin-on-skin with their infants breastfeed longer and more frequently. Babies have better weight gain and are discharged from the hospital earlier. Mothers also report greater confidence in caring for their infants.

Dads too!
Fathers who practice skin-on-skin with their baby also feel an incredible bond.

This is highly preferable to having dad involved by bottle feeding, which can have the adverse effect of decreasing the mother's milk supply, which leads to early weaning.
With the Moby Wrap, parents can be hands-free. There is no fabric separating the parent from the baby, so parents can practice skin-on-skin for several hours a day with ease. The wrap is wide enough to keep the parent covered and warm.

Skin-on-Skin: The Overall Results
According to Dr. Sears and many other experts, skin-on-skin and baby-wearing are proven to:

    reduce crying
    help prevent colic
    boost milk production
    lower baby’s (and mother’s) stress hormones
    increase baby’s weight
    increase baby’s overall health**
    improve baby’s sleep time and quality


This is the most rewarding way for parents and caregivers to bond with their babies!

 

 


*Lawrence, Ruth and Robert Lawrence, “Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession,” 1999.
**Sears, William, M.D. “The Attachment Parenting Book,” 2001

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