Intermittent Kangaroo Mother Care

1. Intermittent Kangaroo Mother Care

2. Intermittent KMC • Intermittent KMC is practiced with infants: • Where incubators or warm rooms are available • Who are not yet clinically stable • Who are receiving oxygen therapy • In situations where there is no space for rooming-in – the majority case for African settings • Intermittent KMC can take place throughout the day • The time period can vary from minutes to hours at a time • Practicing intermittent KMC after feeding is a missed opportunity • The duration of intermittent KMC depends on the condition of the infant and the availability of the mother • It encourages the mother to take part in care of her infant • No special equipment is required – just willing mothers and staff to act as counsellors PEP unit 43 Principles of KMC

3. Institutional arrangement of KMC Continuous KMC is not the only option. The range of possible KMC applications is co-determined by the availability and type of lodging facilities for mothers.

4. The benefits of KMC also apply to intermittent KMC • Improved cardiacand respiratory stability • Improved gastrointestinal function • Higher initiation & duration of breastfeeding • Protection against infections • Effective thermal control • Infants are less stressed • The mother’s confidence in caring for her infant is boosted • Improved bonding between mother and infant due to the physical closeness between them • Mothers are empowered to play an active role in their infants care • Mothers are enabled to become the primary care giver of their infants

5. The KMC chains of care Home-based care Ante-natal care Hospital-based care Mothers and families must be prepared for possible premature birth KMC follow-up Hospital-based care Antenatal care Home-based care

6. Documenting intermittent KMC