Kangaroo Care: The Best You Can Do to Help Your Preterm Infant [Paperback]

Susan Ludington-Hoe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1993

From an internationally-known expert in child health, here is a dramatically new approach to caring for premature babies--and a wonderful new role for parents. Filled with information about the special needs of fragile newborns and illustrated with step-by-step photos.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Originating in Colombia a decade ago as a means of keeping preterm infants (premies) alive in an unheated hospital, "kangaroo care" is a term describing skin-to-skin contact in an upright position. The authors have written a comprehensive book explaining what it is, which premies are suitable and why (not all qualify), the physiological theories behind it, and how it benefits both infants and their parents. They describe a typical neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay and how this procedure can complement NICU treatment. For additional information on premies, see Helen Harrison's The Premature Baby Book ( LJ 7/83). Highly recommended for family health collections.
- Anne C. Tomlin, Auburn Memorial Hosp. Lib., N.Y.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Bantam; 1 edition (September 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553372459
• ISBN-13: 978-0553372458
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #967,297 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Have for Preemie Parents, February 24, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kangaroo Care: The Best You Can Do to Help Your Preterm Infant (Paperback)

Kangaroo Care by Susan M. Luddington-Hoe, Susan K. Golant is one of the best things the parent of a premature baby can do for him/herself. It gives specific reasons for using Kangaroo Care (holding the baby skin-to-skin inside your clothes for a period of time daily) and includes the scientific research to back it up. For instance, research has found that a mother's skin temperature increases if the baby's temperature drops, and consequently, she is better at regulating the baby's temperature than an isolette or warmer. The authors give specific instructions which help the nervous parent handle his/her tiny baby and include a section on how to convince the hospital staff to give Kangaroo Care a try. Finally, it is written in a very reader-friendly, conversational tone. This book would be helpful for the parent of ANY newborn, but it should be required reading if your infant is premature.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We wouldn't have made it without this book!, December 4, 2000

By 

Momma (Dearborn, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kangaroo Care: The Best You Can Do to Help Your Preterm Infant (Paperback)

Three years ago, our 4th child - our tiny son - was born at 28 weeks. This book was loaned to me by the lactation consultant at my hospital while he was in Neonatal-ICU. It showed me that there really was a LOT I could do to help my child, and I wasted no time at all following the suggestions and advice in the book. The nurses caring for my son were very supportive when they found out I wanted to do this! Basically, the technique involves cuddling your naked baby on your bare chest - between the breasts is fine for mom, or in a "nursing" position. Whenever I held my baby with this skin-to-skin contact, tears of happiness and contentment would stream down my cheeks for several minutes. These were wonderful moments during terrifying times (we were not sure he'd live). And this is a wonderful book - worth it's weight in solid gold! I'm buying a copy to keep on hand in case any friends or relatives deliver a premie.

P.S. My son was able to leave the hospital at only 35 weeks post-conception (6 weeks earlier than the doctors estimated!) Today, he's a happy healthy 3-yr old.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For more than premies, March 13, 2003

By 

"sjnkcmom" (CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kangaroo Care: The Best You Can Do to Help Your Preterm Infant (Paperback)

Our full-term (37wk) son was in the NICU due to a birth defect. This method was explained to us as we started to be able to hold him and I was trying to teach him to nurse. All I can say is IT WORKS. He was able to go home at 6 wks when we were told he would probably be in for than 3 mos. min. When you think about it it makes sense...this baby was inside you and close to you for however many months you carried him/her. Don't you think dropping the child in a "box" with no human contact would be a shock to the system? I think that "normal" babies could probably benefit from this too. Lord willing, I'll get a chance to prove my theory. :-)