Skin-to-skin (kangaroo) care promotes exclusive breastfeeding
Skin-to-skin contact, also known as kangaroo care, has been widely studied and shown to significantly benefit both mothers and infants, especially in promoting exclusive...
This companion page to Chapter 2 – Safe and Unrestricted Kangaroo Care offers a curated library of tools, evidence, and multimedia to help your unit implement uKC as the standard of care—safely, confidently, and equitably. From clinical checklists and family resources to peer-reviewed research, staff training videos, and international guidelines, these materials support every facet of your uKC journey. Whether you are evaluating policies, designing parent education, preparing for quality improvement, or advocating for funding, this collection is designed to be practical, trauma-informed, and action-oriented. Explore the sections below to deepen your knowledge, strengthen your team, and create a culture where every parent, every session, every day can provide the healing power of skin-to-skin care.
Evidence & Guidelines
- References by Topic & Articles/Research Papers
- WHO Guidelines
- Embracing the Science: The “Science Behind Kangaroo Care” Poster
Tools for Families & Clinicians
- Choosing the Right Kangaroo Care Safety Wrap: A Tool for Families and Clinicians
- C.U.D.D.L.E.™ Framework - A Trauma-Informed Framework for Safe, Confident, Unrestricted Kangaroo Care
- The Zaky® Mobile & Web APP – Free tool for tracking kangaroo care activities, analytics, and managing Kangaroo-a-thons. (Funded by the Gates Foundation and developed by Nurtured by Design, Inc.)
Parent & Family-Friendly Resources
- Discover the Life-Changing Benefits of Kangaroo Care — Free Download!
- Skin-to-Skin Care for Your Baby in the NICU (Healthy Mom and Baby Magazine)
Videos, Webinars & Podcasts on Kangaroo Care
- Kangaroo Care “In Touch With Experts” educational series
- Tech Tuesday - The Science and Heart of Kangaroo Care (The Incubator Podcast)
- Preemie Chats: Managing Kangaroo Care Safety – hosted by Canadian Premature Babies Foundation
Clinical Demonstrations & Best Practices
- KC in the NICU with ongoing intensive care and started immediately after birth (24 weeker).
- Standing transfer of an intubated infant
- Standing transfer of a non-intubated infant
- Transfer of an infant from an incubator to the mother’s bed
- Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) eye exam while the infant is held in Kangaroo Care — Exploring KC as a best practice to reduce stress and improve comfort during painful medical procedures
- Kangaroo Care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (St. Boniface Hospital, Canada)
