Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 1, 2025

A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect
05:04

A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect

Published on: September 22, 2023

495

Feeding Practices of Preterm Low Birthweight Infants Up to 6 Months: A Comparison Between Kangaroo and Conventional

Rejane Sousa Romão1, Rayany Cristina Souza1, Eliziane Santos Medeiros1

  • 1From the Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlandia, Uberlandia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
|April 25, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Kangaroo Care (KC) significantly improved exclusive breastfeeding rates in low birthweight (LBW) infants compared to Conventional Care (CC). KC also led to higher rates of mixed breastfeeding over six months post-discharge.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal care
  • Infant nutrition
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Low birthweight (LBW) infants require specialized feeding practices for optimal growth and development.
  • Kangaroo Care (KC) is a method of care that involves skin-to-skin contact, aiming to improve infant outcomes.
  • Comparing feeding practices between KC and Conventional Care (CC) is crucial for evidence-based infant feeding guidelines.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the feeding practices of low birthweight (LBW) infants receiving Kangaroo Care (KC) versus Conventional Care (CC).
  • To evaluate the impact of KC on breastfeeding exclusivity, mixed breastfeeding, and introduction of complementary foods.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cohort study involving 65 LBW infants (≤ 1800g) in Brazil (2019-2021).
  • Infants were divided into KC (n=46) and CC (n=19) groups, with KC including breastfeeding support.
  • Feeding data (exclusive breastfeeding, mixed breastfeeding, food introduction) collected at hospital discharge, 4, and 6 months corrected gestational age (CGA).

Main Results:

  • Kangaroo Care (KC) group showed significantly higher rates of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) at hospital discharge (47.8% vs 5.3%).
  • Mixed breastfeeding rates were higher in the KC group at 4 months (35.0% vs 5.6%) and 6 months (24.4% vs 0.0%) CGA.
  • Introduction of liquid and solid foods was similar between KC and CC groups at 4 and 6 months CGA.

Conclusions:

  • Kangaroo Care (KC) is associated with improved exclusive breastfeeding rates at discharge and higher mixed breastfeeding rates up to six months corrected gestational age.
  • The early introduction of formula, liquids, and solids did not differ significantly between the KC and CC groups.
  • KC demonstrates a positive impact on breastfeeding outcomes for low birthweight infants.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Assessment of the Efficacy of An Osteopathic Treatment in Infants with Biomechanical Impairments to Suckling07:11

Assessment of the Efficacy of An Osteopathic Treatment in Infants with Biomechanical Impairments to Suckling

Published on: February 5, 2019

9.1K
Author Spotlight: Implications of Non-Nutritive Sucking on Speech Emergence and Infant Development06:19

Author Spotlight: Implications of Non-Nutritive Sucking on Speech Emergence and Infant Development

Published on: April 19, 2024

814

Related Concept Videos

Parental Care00:55

Parental Care

Many animals exhibit parental care behavior, including feeding, grooming, and protecting young offspring. Parental care is universal in mammals and birds, which often have young that are born relatively helpless. Several species of insects and fish, as well as some amphibians, also care for their young.
11.8K
Imprinting01:22

Imprinting

Behavioral imprinting is observed in some newborn animals and occurs when they develop strong and specific attachments to another animal (usually a parent) following brief, early-life exposures. Offspring imprint onto parents within a brief period after birth or hatching; this time window is called the critical period. Once imprinting occurs, the bond established between the parents and their offspring is usually long-lasting.
9.9K
Attachment01:20

Attachment

Attachment is vital for infant development, as warm social interactions support growth and well-being. In a classic 1958 study by Harry Harlow, the significance of warmth and comfort in forming attachments was examined. Harlow separated newborn monkeys from their mothers and provided two artificial "mothers": one made of cold wire and the other covered in soft cloth. Despite the wire mother offering food, the infant monkeys preferred the comfort of the cloth mother, demonstrating that...
98
Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding01:15

Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding

Enteral nutrition encompasses various methods of delivering nutrition directly to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, bypassing traditional oral intake. It is particularly beneficial for patients who cannot eat by mouth but have a functioning digestive system. Key methods include nasointestinal feeding, gastrostomy, and jejunostomy, each suited to different clinical scenarios based on the patient's needs and condition.
Nasointestinal Feeding
Nasointestinal feeding involves placing a tube...
223
Enteral Nutrition I: Orogastric and Nasogastric Feeding01:26

Enteral Nutrition I: Orogastric and Nasogastric Feeding

Enteral nutrition delivers nutrients directly to the stomach or small intestine through a tube. This method is appropriate for patients who cannot eat but still have a functioning digestive system. It is also beneficial for individuals with swallowing difficulties, anorexia, malabsorption, or those who have undergone gastrointestinal (GI) surgery.
Orogastric (OG) and nasogastric (NG) feeding are two standard methods used for enteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition is often preferred over...
396