KMC facilitates mother baby attachment in low birth weight infants

Objective. To determine whether Kangaroo mother care (KMC) facilitates mother baby attachment in low birth weight infants. Methods. Over 16 month period 110 neonates were randomized into kangaroo mother care group and control group using a random number table. The kangaroo group was subjected to Kangaroo mother care for at least 6 hours per day. The babies also received kangaroo care after shifting out from NICU and at home. The control group received standard care ( incubator or open care system). After 3 months followup, structured maternal interview was conducted to assess attachment between mothers and their babies. Results. Mean birth weight was 1.69 +/- 0.11 Kg in KMC group compared to 1.690 +/- 0.12 Kg in control group ( p> 0.05). Mean gestational age was 35.48 +/- 1.20 week in KMC group and 35.04 +/- 1.09 week in the control group ( p> 0.05). KMC was initiated at a mean age of 1.72 +/- 0.45 days. The duration of KMC in first month was 10.21 +/- 1.50 hour, in the 2(nd) month was 10.03 +/- 1.57 hour and in the 3(rd) month was 8.97 +/- 1.37 hours. The duration of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the KMC group (3.56 +/- 0.57 days) compared to control group ( 6.80 +/- 1.30 days). The total attachment score ( 24.46 +/- 1.64) in the KMC group was significantly higher than that obtained in control group ( 18.22 +/- 1.79, p< 0.001). In KMC group, mother was more often the main caretaker of the baby. Mothers were significantly more involved in care taking activities like bathing, diapering, sleeping with their babies and spent more time beyond usual care taking. They went out without their babies less often and only for unavoidable reasons. They derived greater pleasure from their babies. Conclusion. KMC facilitates mother baby attachment in low birth weight infants.