Weird Kangaroo Care Question

[la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN]

Hi everyone!

So, we all pretty much know that Kangaroo Care involves the parents holding their premature infant for as much as possible to promote growth and healing and positive outcomes and all of that awesomeness, right? I have, however, recently heard of someone who claims to be doing this type of care *ahem* at the request of the parents (allegedly -- there are reasons why this may be in terms of this person regarding themselves as a "healer" in a holistic sense -- in other words, there may be some misrepresentation of themselves professionally).

Am I losing it? Isn't Kangaroo Care particularly geared toward parent involvement (seeing as how the parents benefit as well)? This person does not refer to it as Kangaroo Care but rather "skin time" and something about that just seems off to me. I don't recall ever hearing that Kangaroo Care, or "skin time" (which sounds.....bizarre), as being part of a nursing intervention that nursing staff actually does themselves. I looked it up and still can't find anything in relation to straight up skin-to-skin contact having anything to do with anyone other than the parent/guardian. Any assistance in understanding why such a situation would occur and be appropriate would be appreciated!

[BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN]

Never heard of it and it is way off base. Is this a nurse? Skin to skin is NOT part of our job!

[KRVRN, BSN, RN]

No, staff doesn't do that. Only the family.

[la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN]

Never heard of it and it is way off base. Is this a nurse? Skin to skin is NOT part of our job!

Yes, this person is a licensed individual but I don't want to say to what scope to keep things as anonymous as I can. I just couldn't believe it when I heard it. This isn't taking place in an acute care setting so it's not really being applied to premature little ones but rather other medically complex patients. Thank you for your response. I thought that was a little bit of "a nurse too far!"

[la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN]

No, staff doesn't do that. Only the family.

Thank you, I thought that it seemed really peculiar to say the least.

[KRVRN, BSN, RN]

Hold, rock, cuddle yes. Skin to skin is intimate and personal.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

That's borderline reportable if you ask me.

[chwcbesteph, RN]

I'm a doula (and a RN who has never worked NICU, full disclosure) and I would find this extremely inappropriate for even our role- as professionals who tend to have a much more intimate relationship with the family than nursing. Even if I were asked by parents to do this, I can only imagine that I would default to encouraging them to do skin-to-skin for so many more benefits than just the physiological homeostasis that it provides. There's a big component here of PPD prevention, new parenthood adjustment, bonding, etc.

I *would* understand having an extended family member take this role on, but a licensed professional advertising as some sort of skin-to-skin surrogate? I mean, I guess each family is different but this crosses some imaginary line I just can't quite put my finger on.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

I'm a doula (and a RN who has never worked NICU, full disclosure) and I would find this extremely inappropriate for even our role- as professionals who tend to have a much more intimate relationship with the family than nursing. Even if I were asked by parents to do this, I can only imagine that I would default to encouraging them to do skin-to-skin for so many more benefits than just the physiological homeostasis that it provides. There's a big component here of PPD prevention, new parenthood adjustment, bonding, etc.

I *would* understand having an extended family member take this role on, but a licensed professional advertising as some sort of skin-to-skin surrogate? I mean, I guess each family is different but this crosses some imaginary line I just can't quite put my finger on.

I think the line is: This is apparently a home care/ PDN situation if I am reading this right.

[fulitarn, BSN, RN]

That is not only inappropriate, but also an infection control issue. Skin to skin helps the baby adjust to mom and dad's normal skin flora and prepare to live at home with them. Adding skin flora increases risk of infection for that baby.

Whoever is doing this needs to be counseled to stop, or risk being reported to their board of practice.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

WAIT A MINUTE!!! You mean that the reason my female coworkers are gawking at me while I am Kangaroo caring my babies is that it is inappropriate for me to do it??? I thought they were gawking at my tan chiseled chest and six-pack abs (insert image of 1980s Fabio, not 2016 Fabio).