Implementation of Kangaroo Mother Care - Challenges and Solutions

Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is an efficient intervention that provides warmth, sensory stimulation, safety, protection against infections, breastfeeding, and bonding between infant and mother. The issues faced in implementing of KMC are highlighted herein, along with a suggestive plan for policy making for better implementation. With this plan, it will be easier to extend the approach to the community, where KMC has the potential to reach numerous LBW babies. Therefore, well-functioning facility-based services should be available before introducing KMC in the community, as community KMC must link with facility-based services for successful implementation. Community health workers and staff in facilities without KMC units should also be trained on KMC benefits and positioning. Each health facility implementing KMC services should have a written policy and guidelines that are based on national documents, and adapted to its specific level of health care.