Kangaroo care and breastfeeding of mother-preterm infant dyads 0-18 months: a randomized, controlled trial

Neonatal Netw. 2008 May-Jun;27(3):151-9. doi: 10.1891/0730-0832.27.3.151.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the effects of kangaroo care (KC) (skin-to-skin contact) on breastfeeding status in mother-preterm infant dyads from postpartum through 18 months.

Design: Randomized, controlled trial. The control group received standard nursery care; in the intervention group, unlimited KC was encouraged.

Sample: A subsample of 66 mothers and their preterm infants (32-36 completed weeks gestation, 1,300-3,000 g, 5 minute Apgar > or = 6) who intended to breastfeed.

Main outcome variables: Breastfeeding status at hospital discharge and at 1.5, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months as measured by the Index of Breastfeeding Status.

Results: KC dyads, compared to control dyads, breastfed significantly longer (5.08 months vs 2.05 months), p = .003. KC dyads also breastfed more exclusively at each measurement, p = .047. More KC dyads than control dyads breastfed at full exclusivity (100 percent breast milk, index of breastfeeding status levels 1 or 2) at discharge and at 1.5, 3, and 6 months. Mean KC contact per day was 4.47 hours.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Breast Feeding / psychology
  • Breast Feeding / statistics & numerical data*
  • Clinical Nursing Research
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant Care / methods*
  • Infant Care / psychology
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature* / physiology
  • Infant, Premature* / psychology
  • Intensive Care, Neonatal / methods*
  • Male
  • Mother-Child Relations*
  • Neonatal Nursing
  • Ohio
  • Patient Discharge / statistics & numerical data
  • Time Factors
  • Washington