Intermittent Kangaroo Mother Care

Intermittent KMCIntermittent KMC is practiced with infants:

Where incubators or warm rooms are availableWho are not yet clinically stableWho are receiving oxygen therapyIn situations where there is no space for rooming-in – the

majority case for African settingsIntermittent KMC can take place throughout the day

The time period can vary from minutes to hours at a timePracticing intermittent KMC after feeding is a missed

opportunityThe duration of intermittent KMC depends on the

condition of the infant and the availability of the motherIt encourages the mother to take part in care of her

infantNo special equipment is required – just willing mothers

and staff to act as counsellorsPEP unit 43 Principles of KMC

Institutional arrangement of

KMC

Continuous KMC is not the only

option. The range of possible KMC applications is

co-determined by the availability

and type of lodging facilities

for mothers.

The benefits of KMC also apply to intermittent KMC

Improved cardiac and respiratory stability Improved gastrointestinal function Higher initiation & duration of breastfeeding Protection against infections Effective thermal control Infants are less stressed The mother’s confidence in caring for her infant is boosted Improved bonding between mother and infant due to the

physical closeness between them Mothers are empowered to play an active role in their

infants care Mothers are enabled to become the primary care giver of

their infants

The KMC chains of careThe KMC chains of care

Ante-Ante-natal carenatal care

Hospital-Hospital-based based

carecare

Home-Home-based carebased care

Mothers and families must be prepared for possible premature

birth

KMC follow-up

Home-Home-based carebased care

Antenatal Antenatal carecare

Hospital-based Hospital-based carecare

Documenting intermittent KMCIntermittent KMC

ChartName: Reg No:

Date:Age in days

Weight::06h0007h0008h0009h0010h0011h0012h0013h0014h0015h0016h0017h0018h0019h0020h0021h0022h0023h00Total KMC

time/day