Kangaroo Care (skin to skin)

One of the best things about having a child in the nicu is the time you get to do kangaroo care. Kangaroo Care or skin to skin is very important when babies are in the nicu.. It was one of my favorite things while the girls were ithere. Sometimes they wouldn't cooperate and their alarms would sound (A's or B's... Apneas ..cessations of breathing or B's...bradycardia...when heartrate slows to 80 beats per minute or less). Most of the time, kangaroo care improved their statistics.

Here is a little more about kangaroo care from Cleveland Clinic :)
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/12578-kangaroo-care

This is the reason why Kangaroo Care is done. (From Nationwide Children's
https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-resources/helping-hands/kangaroo-care-for-your-infant)

Kangaroo care is a special way for you to hold your infant that gives the baby skin-to-skin contact (Picture 1).  The baby wears only a diaper and is held close against your chest.  Since your infant already knows you by your scent, touch, and the way your voice and heartbeat sound, he or she is most comfortable close to you.  Both parents can do kangaroo care as often and as long as possible throughout your baby’s stay in the hospital.

Reasons to do kangaroo care

Kangaroo care is good for mom, dad, and baby in so many ways.  Some of the ways kangaroo care can be good for your baby and for baby’s parents are:

• Mom makes more milk and has a better chance of breastfeeding
• Baby stays warmer and body temperature is better
• Baby has improved heart rate and breathing rate (vital signs)
• Baby has improved weight gain
• Baby cries less and has lower stress levels
• Baby has improved sleep
• Baby and parent bond more
• Baby has decreased pain and risk of infection
• Baby has better brain growth and development

I believe the below photos are the first times we got to do that with each baby.

 This was the first time I got to hold Avery skin to skin. It was definitely nerve wracking but also amazing. Look how little her head is!

One of my favorite pics of when Avery was in the nicu,, the little arm (while being kangarooed) and the heart necklace :)

Another one of my favorite pics to show just how small Avery was...she was covered with a blanket right after this pic was taken. I just wanted to take a pic really quick to show her size

All snuggled with Daddy

 Daddy got the kangaroo with Avery two hours this day!! She was loving it (and I am sure he was too).

Even though Reagan was much better off (being born at 32 weeks instead of 25), we still did kangaroo care with her )   Look at that little pouty face! She would soon be all smiles in the nicu

Look at those little "elf" ears. They eventually became more rounded on their own