By: Sierra and Courtney Herzog-Hood
Sierra and Courtney Herzog-Hood had twin baby girls born prematurely. They used kangaroo care to bond, help and comfort their daughters as they were in the NICU. They tell their story of the importance of kangaroo care.
“In addition to all the benefits shown in studies that kangaroo care provides for both babies and their parents, for Courtney and I, it meant getting a chance to build a stronger bond with our daughters while they weren’t able to be home with us. Our daughters were 1 pound, 8 ounces and 1 pound, 10 ounces at birth. They spent a couple months intubated in isolettes [incubators] so being able to take them out and hold them skin-to-skin was what we looked forward to each and every day. Kangaroo time gave us a sense of comfort and joy; it helped us feel closer to them and more like their parents during a time where we had to put our trust and daughters’ care in the hands of the wonderful NICU [neonatal intensive care] nurses. We felt that kangaroo care was the best way possible for us to let our girls know they were loved and we were there for them.”
What is kangaroo care?
Kangaroo care, also called skin-to-skin care, is when you hold your baby naked or in just a diaper on your bare chest. Holding your baby this way will allow them to get to know you, through your scent, your touch, your voice and the feel of your skin.
Why is it important to kangaroo?
Kangaroo care will help you to:
- Make more milk.
- Feel even more love for your baby.
- Feel closer to your partner.
- Cope with “the baby blues.”
- Learn how to respond to your baby’s needs.
- Have more confidence in your parenting skills.
- Be ready for breastfeeding.
Kangaroo care will help your baby to:
- Sleep better.
- Cry less.
- Keep their body the right temperature.
- Breathe better.
- Feel less pain.
- Know you better.
- Be ready for breastfeeding.