The first physical contact between a newborn and their parents is vital for forming a close emotional bond. This early connection helps lay the foundation for the child's emotional and social development. One highly effective method to encourage bonding is Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), where the baby is placed skin-to-skin on the parent's bare chest. 

Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is a proven, life-saving neonatal care practice that benefits all newborns, especially those who are born preterm, have low birth weight, or require immediate medical attention. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), KMC includes three essential components [1]:

• Continuous and prolonged skin-to-skin contact (8–24 hours per day, for as long as possible), initiated immediately after birth

   

• Exclusive breastfeeding or breastmilk feeding

   

• Timely discharge from the NICU to a lower level of care or home, with ongoing skin-to-skin contact and close monitoring

   

Skin-to-skin contact often begins before breastfeeding and plays a vital role in encouraging mother-infant bonding and initiating breastfeeding. Once successful, it supports continued exclusive breastmilk feeding. Formula feeding should only be used in exceptional cases.

This approach empowers mothers by giving them an active role in their baby’s care—a major shift in traditional healthcare dynamics. It prioritizes the needs of families and their newborns, placing them at the center of care and calling for systemic transformation in how maternal and newborn care is delivered globally [1].

The latest WHO guidelines recommend starting Kangaroo Mother Care immediately after birth (or right after resuscitation, if needed) [1, 4]. This practice, known as Immediate Kangaroo Mother Care (iKMC), can begin even before the newborn is clinically stable—preventing harmful separation of mother and baby [7, 10].

Exceptions apply only when the baby:

• Cannot breathe on their own after resuscitation,

   

• Is in shock, or

   

• Requires mechanical ventilation

   

In such cases, life-saving treatment takes precedence. If the mother is unable to participate in iKMC—for example, due to medical needs—a partner or other family member should be encouraged to step in and provide skin-to-skin contact.

When a newborn lies on their mother’s chest, they hear her heartbeat, recognize her scent, and feel safe and secure. This familiar environment helps them calm down and regulate their vital signs. At the same time, the mother provides nourishing breastmilk—specifically tailored by her body to meet the infant’s gestational age and individual health needs. Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) has also been proven to promote exclusive breastfeeding, benefiting both mother and baby simultaneously [2, 3].

Recent research highlights the powerful role that other family members—especially the father or non-birthing partner—can play in KMC [13, 14]. When they provide extensive skin-to-skin contact, even immediately after birth, newborns reach and maintain thermal stability just as effectively as with the mother. This applies to both preterm infants and healthy term newborns.

These findings reinforce the importance of family-centered care: rotating skin-to-skin contact among family members not only benefits the newborn but also gives the mother the chance to rest and recover. Involving fathers, partners, and loved ones transforms care into a shared responsibility—a core value promoted by GFCNI in its commitment to family-integrated neonatal care.

KMC can be practiced both in the hospital and at home, ideally for as many hours a day as possible. According to the most recent WHO guidelines, skin-to-skin contact should be provided for at least 8 hours per day, and optimally up to 24 hours per day, supporting a “Zero Separation” policy.

To make this a reality, hospitals must redefine the role of parents in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Embracing (Immediate) Kangaroo Mother Care means recognizing parents as essential members of the care team—not as visitors. Parents need 24/7 access to their infants and be actively supported and involved.

Infrastructure and Support for Effective KMC:

Hospitals with perinatal and neonatal units should be equipped with

• Comfortable chairs or beds to support prolonged skin-to-skin contact

   

• Lactation support to encourage and assist with breastfeeding

   

• Accessible bathrooms so mothers can maintain personal hygiene

   

• Nutritious meals provided in a welcoming area to promote proper nourishment

   

• Family support systems, allowing partners, relatives, or close friends to care for the mother and step in with KMC when she needs a break.

   

By implementing these standards, healthcare facilities create an environment where (immediate) Kangaroo Mother Care is not only possible but sustainable—leading to better health outcomes for infants and a more empowered experience for families.

Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) should not end at hospital discharge. Families must be empowered and supported to continue practicing skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding in their own homes. Achieving this requires close collaboration between families and healthcare professionals, as well as access to:

• Personalized counseling and guidance

   

• Ongoing support from trained staff

   

• Regular follow-up visits, either at home or in a local healthcare facility

   

By extending KMC into the home environment, families can maintain the benefits of this evidence-based practice during a critical time of growth and development.

Parents commonly perceive Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) as a deeply meaningful way to connect, bond, and actively care for their child. It reinforces their parental role, helps to strengthen the relationship between partners, and improves the emotional environment in which the child grows up [1].

Beyond the family unit, healthcare systems and hospitals also benefit from implementing (immediate) KMC:

• Lower operational costs: KMC requires no expensive equipment, which reduces capital investment and ongoing maintenance needs.

   

• Shorter hospital stays: Infants practicing KMC tend to recover and stabilize more quickly [3].

   

• Optimized staff use: As infants need less handling by medical personnel, staff are freed up for other critical care tasks [1, 3, 8].

   

• Promotion of respectful maternal and newborn care, a growing global priority in health systems [1].

   

These advantages underscore KMC as a cost-effective, evidence-based practice that benefits families, caregivers, and healthcare infrastructure alike.