In My Arms, You Thrive: The Story and Science of Kangaroo Care
On Kangaroo Care Awareness Day, we reflect on a simple yet powerful truth: the human touch can save lives. For families with premature babies, this truth lives in every skin-to-skin cuddle, every steady heartbeat shared, and every moment of closeness that says, you’re safe in my arms. This is the heart of Kangaroo Care—a method that has changed the way the world nurtures its tiniest fighters. And today, we honor its story, its science, and the people who make it possible.
Origins: A Revolutionary Solution Born in Bogotá
Kangaroo Care was born not in a research lab, but out of necessity—in a crowded hospital in Bogotá, Colombia in the late 1970s. Dr. Edgar Rey Sanabria and Dr. Héctor Martínez at San Juan de Dios Hospital were facing a critical shortage of incubators amidst a growing number of preterm births. Many newborns didn’t survive due to lack of proper thermal regulation and bonding.
Inspired by how kangaroos carry their young, Dr. Rey pioneered a method where mothers would carry their diaper-clad babies skin-to-skin on their chests, tucked under their clothes. The results were astonishing: babies stabilized, gained weight, and formed critical emotional bonds with their caregivers.
What began as an emergency measure became a medical breakthrough—and a global movement.
The Science: Why Kangaroo Care Works
In the NICU, infants are subjected to numerous stressors that overwhelm the immature brain. Kangaroo Care is a method of holding and nurturing the newborn infant where the infant is placed in direct skin-to-skin contact with the parent’s bare chest ensuring physiological and psychological warmth and bonding. Modern research continues to validate what Dr. Rey observed decades ago. Kangaroo Care isn’t just comforting—it’s clinically effective.
According to the World Health Organization, Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) has been shown to:
Reduce mortality by up to 40% for preterm infants
Decrease risk of severe infection, hypothermia, and respiratory complications
Improve breastfeeding success and long-term neurodevelopment
(WHO, 2023)
Dr. Susan Ludington-Hoe, a pioneer in Kangaroo Care research, emphasizes that skin-to-skin contact helps newborns regulate body temperature, heart rate, and breathing—critical functions for survival (Ludington-Hoe, 2005).
The American Academy of Pediatrics and March of Dimes also advocate for Kangaroo Care as a best practice in NICU settings, citing improved weight gain, oxygen saturation, and emotional bonding as key benefits.
In essence: skin-to-skin contact mimics the womb, creating a biologically familiar space where the baby can thrive.
The Emotional Impact: Holding Hope Close
The power of Kangaroo Care is not only measured in medical charts—but in the quiet, transformative moments between parent and child. The gentle stillness of a NICU room as a baby calms to a parent’s heartbeat. The first skin-to-skin contact that restores a parent’s confidence. The realization that touch is medicine, too.
To honor their strength and nurture their journey, Newborn Hope delivered thoughtfully curated Kangaroo Care baskets to three hospitals in Southern Colorado:
CommonSpirit St. Francis Hospital in Colorado Springs
Children’s Hospital Colorado, Colorado Springs
UCHealth Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo
Each basket was filled with comforting, practical items designed to support parents through skin-to-skin bonding—because when a baby is held close, healing begins. These gifts are our way of standing beside NICU families and the medical teams who champion Kangaroo Care every day.
The Role of Professionals: Compassionate, Trauma-Informed Care
Kangaroo Care also highlights the critical role of healthcare professionals in supporting families through trauma-informed practices.
NICU nurses, neonatologists, lactation consultants, and social workers are essential in:
Educating parents about the benefits and safety of skin-to-skin care
Creating space for it in intensive care protocols
Encouraging bonding in even the most medically fragile situations
Their presence, patience, and compassion are the scaffolding around which families find their strength. We honor them not only today, but every day.
How Newborn Hope Supports Families in Colorado
At the heart of our mission lies a commitment to making a tangible, positive impact on the lives and outcomes of premature babies and their families. Our efforts have yielded significant results, reflecting the transformative potential of our mission and our dedicated volunteers.
Prematurity remains the number one cause of death and disability in preterm infants, and it does not discriminate on the basis of culture, race, or socioeconomics, which is why we are committed to providing resources to premature babies and their families by providing prenatal education, post-NICU support, and community advocacy. Our mission encompasses a range of beneficial programs, from helping families directly while they are in the NICU and transitioning home to an invaluable education program for our preemie community. Newborn Hopes' work also includes programs that we have delivered for decades, such as the Community Grants
Ways To Make An Impact
🔹 Make a one-time donation
Your one-time gift to Newborn Hope can make all the difference. Together, we can provide life-saving care, support families, and give every preemie the chance to thrive.
🔹 Become a monthly donor
Monthly recurring donations are able to provide nonprofits with steady, reliable support. And even small contributions add up to make a big difference. A monthly donation of $40 can provide a family with essential infant gear such as carseats and strollers meant for preemie babies.
🔹 Volunteer
Share your time, skills, and expertise by volunteering with us. Whether you're a healthcare professional, educator, or someone passionate about helping premature babies thrive, your involvement can inspire and educate those we serve.
🔹 Advocate
Become a champion for premature babies and their families by advocating within your own networks and communities. Spread the word about the importance of NICU education and how it can transform lives by following us and sharing our mission.
Advancing Care, Together
Kangaroo Care is more than a comforting embrace—it’s an evidence-based practice with lifelong impact. From stabilizing vital signs to fostering emotional resilience, the benefits are well-documented and deeply human.
As we honor this powerful method on Kangaroo Care Awareness Day, Newborn Hope remains committed to supporting the families who live it and the professionals who champion it. By working together—clinicians, parents, and advocates—we can ensure every preterm infant has access to the care, connection, and support they need to thrive.
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