With around 132 babies born each day requiring specialised care, Kangaroo Care is important for the health of sick and preterm newborns. Kangaroo Care (skin-to-skin care) is known to have many benefits particularly for babies born premature or sick, along with their parents, including;

Maintaining baby’s body temperature
Regulating heart rate and breathing rates
Increasing weight gain
Helping to promote breastfeeding
Building parental confidence and increasing bond

Kangaroo Care Awareness Day is almost here - so hop to it!

International Kangaroo Care Awareness Day is held on 15th May each year. It’s a global event that aims to increase the safety, implementation, research, awareness, and education about kangaroo care globally. It also hopes to bring attention to the many benefits of Kangaroo Care.

To celebrate, we'd love all Australian Neonatal Intensive Care Units and Special Care Units to be involved in our annual Kangaroo-a-thon which kicks off 15th May!

Ask your hospital to REGISTER for the Miracle Babies Kangaroo-a-thon, for a chance to WIN a Kangaroo Care Chair for your NICU or SCN!

With thanks to WaterWipes, the winning Hospital will receive a Kangaroo Care Chair for your NICU or Special Care Nursery, a great addition to encourage even more Kangaroo Care Cuddles.

We would love your hospital to register for our Kangaroo-a-thon, raising awareness for this essential aspect of neonatal care and logging as many hours of Kangaroo holding (including modified holding) as possible in a two-week period.

Do you want to Kangaroo? Here's what you need to do!
If you'd like your hospital to participate in Kangaroo-a-thon in 2023, ask a representative to please click here to REGISTER. Once registered, please coordinate with staff in your unit.
We have a comprehensive tool kit you can use to promote, educate and host your Kangaroo-a-thon event.

How to have a great Kangaroo-a-thon:

Print and provide each family a parent info letter and cuddle count form so that they can log their hours.
Print and use freely the promotional poster.
Join us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and encourage families to post photographs of themselves enjoying Kangaroo Care, including hashtags #kangarooathon #kangaroocare #miraclebabies #kangaroocuddle #NICU #SCN #premmie #KAT2023
At the conclusion of your Kangaroo-a-thon, tally and email your total hours to: [email protected]

Get Involved

Throughout May we're encouraging people to help us promote Kangaroo Care by sharing photos of their Kangaroo cuddles on social media.

Join us on Facebook or Instagram and encourage families to post comments and photographs.

Don't forget to use #miraclebabies #kangaroocare #kangaroocuddle #nicu #specialcare #premmie #kangarooathon so we can see your photos!

NurtureLine 1300 622 243

(1300 MBABIES) 24hr family support helpline