Date of Award

2009

Type

Thesis

Major

Nursing

Degree Type

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Department

School of Nursing

First Advisor

Cheryl M. Smith

Abstract

Infants weighing less than 2500 grams at birth regardless of gestational age are considered low birthweight (LBW) infants (Conde-Aguedelo, Diaz-Rossello, & Belizan, 2003). These infants have a high mortality rate, and often have developmental problems. Every year, there are over 25 million LBW infants born, and most of them are born in developing countries, where they have an even greater morbidity and mortality risk (Conde-Aguedelo, Diaz-Rossello, & Belizan, 2003). In 1978, two physicians. Dr. Rey and Dr. Martinez, proposed and developed the kangaroo mother care (KMC) method at Instituto Materno Infantil in Bogota, Colombia. This method was developed out of necessity, because the hospital wards for low birth weight infants were often overcrowded, and there were limited financial as well as human resources to care for these infants (Johnson, 2005). This method was developed as an alternative to the conventional method of care, in which infants are cared for inside an incubator by highly trained professionals. With the KMC method, the mothers are used as incubators and are the main source of food and stimulation for the LBW infants (Conde-Aguedelo, DiazRossello, & Belizan, 2003).

Components of the Kangaroo Mother method of care include continuous skin-to-skin contact with the mother, exclusive or nearly exclusive breastfeeding, and early discharge from the hospital (Conde-Aguedelo, Diaz-Rossello, & Belizan, 2003). Skin-to-skin contact is initiated by placing the diaper-clad infant between the mother's breasts and under her clothes. The infant is held in a strictly upright position and remains in this position 24 hours a day with the exception of removal for diaper changes. Kangaroo Kangaroo Care 3 positioning is utilized to help regulate neonatal temperature and to facilitate mother-infant bonding.

Comments

Honors Thesis

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