Grandmas doing kangaroo care?

Love_2_Learn · Mar 6, 2011

I'm with you on the idea that is is for parents to do. Now, in a rare case like if the mother died during childbirth and the grandmother would be raising the baby, I could imagine that being more acceptable....but how often would that happen? I remember rarely hearing of grandmothers asking about doing KC and nurses politely explaining to them that this is a special bonding time for parents and their babies... No problems as I remember came from it.

rockabye · Mar 6, 2011

Our policy is parents only, although we have had a few cases where grandparents were granted special permission through mom/dad per management that it was okay to kangaroo care. I don't know if it was because of special circumstances or if parents just pushed management to let them hold. Our reasoning for limiting people who kangaroo care is due to infection risk.

Music in My Heart · Mar 6, 2011

For sure, it should be only with the permission of dad or mom but, if granted, is very good for the kids (IMO) be it with grandparents, aunts/uncles, siblings... Any hour that a stable kid can be spent connected to another person rather than isolated in a warmer is good for the kid.

NicuGal, MSN, RN · Mar 6, 2011

Grandparents have to be with the family when they visit and if they are to visit on their own they have a special visitation paper filled out by mom. But, when we get the papers signed, they have to okay for them to hold/feed, etc.

I can say that in all my years, I've never had a grandparent ask to KC!

NICU_babyRN, BSN, RN · Mar 6, 2011

We don't let GPs do skin-to-skin unless there's reason for it. This is a moment for parents!

With that being said, there have been cases where GPs are asked by parents to do it so we let them. It's rare!

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2011

Has anyone run into a situation where the grandma asks to do kangaroo care without getting permission from the mom?
What are your feelings on this?
Personally, I would not allow it as the nurse unless I ask mom if it's alright. To me this is a very private special bonding experience that is best between mom and baby or dad and baby if dad is comfortable with it.

In our facility, grandparents are not permitted to hold the infant unless Mom or Dad is at bedside.

So that pretty much nixes the kangaroo request.

dawngloves, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2011

I've had grandmothers and a grandfather kangaroo, while the mother was there. I'd have to say I wouldn't let a grandparent kangaroo unless the mother said it was OK. Kangaroo care is for the babies. It benefits them no matter who does it, although it is great if a breast feeding mother does it more.

I am also surprised how many facilities don't let grandparents visit or even hold the babies without a parent there. Family center care is all the rage, nurses. Jump up and take initiative to get it going in your unit.

walkingrock, ADN · Mar 13, 2011

I've had grandmothers and a grandfather kangaroo, while the mother was there. I'd have to say I wouldn't let a grandparent kangaroo unless the mother said it was OK. Kangaroo care is for the babies. It benefits them no matter who does it, although it is great if a breast feeding mother does it more.
I am also surprised how many facilities don't let grandparents visit or even hold the babies without a parent there. Family center care is all the rage, nurses. Jump up and take initiative to get it going in your unit.

HIPPA is a main issue with allowing other family members to visit without the parents being present. :eek:

Trauma Columnist · Mar 13, 2011

Very interesting topic. Thanks.

NicuGal, MSN, RN · Mar 13, 2011

We are family centered, but we prefer to have the grandparents come with the parents. That way they don't learn of something before the parents do and go and tell them wrong info. We had grandparents that would tell an unsuspecting resident or fellow, who had never met the parents before, that they were the parents. Yes we work with a squirrley clientele. and HIPAA is a problem too.

But, if the parents really want the grandparents to visit without them, due to work hours, transportation, etc, our unit manager will approve extended visitation to them, but there is a set of rules they have to follow IE no info except baby is doing well or poorly and their weight. If the grandparents turn out to be a handful we revoke the visitation. The GP's can then visit from 11am-8pm without the parents. But we have to have parents approval for holding and feedings.

dawngloves, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2011

HIPPA is a main issue with allowing other family members to visit without the parents being present.

HOw is visiting a baby a HIPPA violation? Parents give permission for family members to visit. Test results, medication and treatments are only discussed with parents.