Kangaroo Care Policies

[TeenyTiny, ADN, BSN]

My unit is looking to update the kangaroo care policy that we have. If anyone is willing to share your policy with me would you please PM me so that we can exchange contact information.

Thanks.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

What kind of policy do you have? All of our parents are encouraged to kangaroo their babies, excluding

[TeenyTiny, ADN, BSN]

Our policy lists concerns (HFV, >one source of phototherapy, UAC/UVC, etc) for KC that should be an interdisciplinary team discussion but we don't outright prohibit KC for anyone. We have a preferred minimum amount of time we want KC do be done and no restrictions on how many times in one day that an infant can participate in KC. Our docs want to see it way more than it is done and we are trying to make our policy reflect that possibility.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

That seems more of a nursing issue than a policy issue. There is not a long list of exceptions that prevent KC. It seems that either the parents are not visiting very frequently, not staying long enough to KC (

[TeenyTiny, ADN, BSN]

NICU Guy, I agree there is a significant nursing issue occuring here and we are also addressing that. Our policies have to be reviewed every year anyway and we are hoping to make the wording less confusing so we are wanting an idea of what other institutions are doing.

I apologize for the late response, I was sent an email for your first response but not the second and missed seeign it in cursory glances over the board during this time.

[Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM]

I have seen more than one intubation, lines pulled out, etc...no matter how careful you are, from Kangaroo Care on infants on ventilators, etc. Especially with an extubation, it is traumatic for all involved. It is an unnecessary risk.

I just don't agree with the practice because there will be plenty of time for snuggling when the infant is more stable. Mothers should be encouraged with firm pressure, to touch their infants (versus stroking) when they come in. Babies would not be held if they were in the womb.

[LilPeanut, MSN, RN, NP]

We encourage kangaroo care, ASAP. They can't with HFOV or ECMO. HFOV because the tubes are too short, ECMO the cannula are too positional and with the anticoagulation, it's too dangerous. If it is a micro, we keep their head midline for 72 hours, but they can still kangaroo (just not tummy to tummy, usually they are on their side to mommy's tummy) with UAC/UVC. We do not have an issue with extubation/line pulls with this. We get lots of people to help in the transfer process, usually firmly request a minimum of 1 hour for the bitty babies, preferably at least 3 hours, and for older kids, maybe a little more flexibility if they can't do a full hour, but we really try and keep that a hard minimum.

Mom's arms are better than the isolette.