KANGAROO CARE AWARENESS
The goal of our Kangaroo-A-Thon is to encourage all NICU and SCN Units to actively promote Kangaroo Care and log as many hours of kangaroo holding (including modified holding) in a two week period. We hope you can host an event across the two week duration in May. We want to see as many hours of brain developing, neuro-protective, attachment building, and immunity boosting good times.
Sunnybrook Health Science Centre in Toronto Canada found that a kangaroo-a-thon was a fantastic way to break down barriers, unite staff and families with a common goal and witness the transformation of parents, as they were encouraged to cuddle with their infant.
What do you need to do?
We have a tool kit you can us to, promote, educate and host your kangarooing event. The idea is to break down obstacles that may discourage your unit from doing this. We encourage you to;
What is Kangaroo Care?
Kangaroo care or skin-to-skin contact is a special way both mums and dads can spend time holding their baby and it is an experience parents remember fondly during their hospital stay.
Babies wear only a nappy and are placed in an upright position directly on their dad’s bare chest or between mum’s bare breasts. The baby’s head will be turned to the side and then a blanket is placed on top.
Depending on your baby’s medical condition, you may be able to have your first cuddle the day they are born. Other times, you may need to wait days or weeks before their condition is stable enough for you to do so.
It is a good idea to ask your baby’s nurse when would be a good time, as some days may be better than others depending on how your baby is feeling, how you are feeling or what is going on in the nursery.
Kangaroo care can be done with both premature and full-term babies and is known to have many benefits, such as:
Benefits to Baby:
Benefits to Parents:
"I visited my son an average of 12 hours everyday and spent most hours next to his bedside. The time I treasured most was our daily Kangaroo cuddles; we would spend 2 hours snuggling together, often with the both of us drifting off to sleep. Though there were lots happening around us it often seemed that we were the only two people in the room." - Naomi, Miracle Mum to Caden born at 29 weeks.
Parents should not apply strong perfumes and deodorant or smoke before participating in kangaroo care time with their baby. If the doctors feel that cuddling would be too much for your baby, you can still provide them comfort by offering your finger to grasp, talking or singing to them. However, it is always important to speak with your baby's medical team if you have any questions in relation to kangaroo cuddles during this pandemic.
Previous Kangaroo-a-thons:
Thank you to all the hospital NICU & SCN locations who participated in the 2021 Kangaroo-A-Thon! It was incredibly encouraging to see how hard everyone worked to promote this vital campaign. We hope you all had a hopping good time and increased education and awareness with your families and staff.
2022 Participating Hospitals:
NSW:
Auburn Hospital
Bankstown- Lidcombe Hospital
Campbelltown Public Hospital
Dubbo Base Hospital
Fairfield Hospital
Liverpool Public Hospital
Royal North Shore Hospital
Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital
Westmead Hospital
VIC:
Frankston Hospital
Goulburn Valley Health Shepparton
Monash Children's Hospital
QLD:
Cairns Hospital
Townsville Hospital
Rockingham General Hospital
Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
Rockhampton Hospital
ACT:
SA:
Flinders Medical Centre
NT:
Royal Darwin Hospital
WA:
Fiona Stanley Hospital
St John of God Subiaco
TAS:
Launceston General Ward
Royal Hobart Hospital
INTERNATIONAL:
Munson Medical Center
Capital and Coast District Health Board- Wellington
Beacon Children's Hospital
Confirmation Content