Kangaroo care and breastfeeding of mother-preterm infant dyads 0-18 months: a randomized, controlled trial.

PURPOSE

To determine the effects of kangaroo care (KC) (skin-to-skin contact) on breastfeeding status in mother-preterm infant dyads from postpartum through 18 months.

DESIGN

Randomized, controlled trial. The control group received standard nursery care; in the intervention group, unlimited KC was encouraged.

SAMPLE

A subsample of 66 mothers and their preterm infants (32-36 completed weeks gestation, 1,300-3,000 g, 5 minute Apgar > or = 6) who intended to breastfeed.

MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLES

Breastfeeding status at hospital discharge and at 1.5, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months as measured by the Index of Breastfeeding Status.

RESULTS

KC dyads, compared to control dyads, breastfed significantly longer (5.08 months vs 2.05 months), p = .003. KC dyads also breastfed more exclusively at each measurement, p = .047. More KC dyads than control dyads breastfed at full exclusivity (100 percent breast milk, index of breastfeeding status levels 1 or 2) at discharge and at 1.5, 3, and 6 months. Mean KC contact per day was 4.47 hours.