What does the term "kangaroo care" refer to in NICU settings?

The term "kangaroo care" specifically refers to the practice of skin-to-skin contact between a parent and their infant, particularly in the context of neonatal care. This method involves placing the infant, who is usually wrapped in a blanket, directly against the parent's chest. The skin-to-skin contact promotes numerous benefits for the premature or low-birth-weight infant, such as improved regulation of body temperature, enhanced bonding between the parent and newborn, and better breastfeeding success rates. Furthermore, kangaroo care can lead to reduced stress for both the infant and the parent, as well as improved heart and respiratory rates for the baby.

While other practices are essential in NICU settings, such as administering medications or preventing infections, they do not encapsulate the essence of what kangaroo care represents, which is the emphasis on nurturing and physical closeness as critical components to infant development and family bonding.