The Development, Implementation, and Refinement of an Educational Program on Kangaroo Mother Care

Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is an intervention and essential experience for all infants and their caregivers which includes skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding when possible. KMC provides positive outcomes for infants by increasing survival rates, long-term brain development, and physiological outcomes, while also providing positive outcomes for mothers and other caregivers in breastmilk production, mental health, and recovery from birth outcomes. Despite extensive benefits for families, KMC is not a standard of care in all Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) in the USA or globally. A lack of KMC implementation is influenced by limited knowledge among families and healthcare professionals regarding the benefits that KMC provides, and how to implement it safely immediately after birth. This pilot study assesses the implementation of an online educational program on KMC for families that was informed by a literature review, needs assessment, and feedback from experienced neonatal therapists. A total of 119 participants accessed the KMC program, and 24 participants provided feedback via a post-program survey. A thematic analysis was conducted to identify areas needed for improvement, and the KMC program was refined following analysis. This research study supports improving education on KMC for families, especially for women that are pregnant or planning for pregnancy. This program has the potential to increase rates of KMC implementation across various birth settings and experiences, and highlights OT’s essential role in providing prenatal education for families.