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. 2024 Nov 16;11(11):1392.
doi: 10.3390/children11111392.

Reimagining Kangaroo Care for Preterm Infants: A Novel Garment for Safe and Comfortable Bonding

Alexandra McMillin  1 , Aviva Presser Aiden  1 , Jules P Sherman  2 , Ruth Ann Crystal  1 , William D Rhine  1
Affiliations

Reimagining Kangaroo Care for Preterm Infants: A Novel Garment for Safe and Comfortable Bonding

Alexandra McMillin et al. Children (Basel). .

Abstract

Background/objectives: Kangaroo Care (KC) has been proven to enhance physiological stability, growth, and bonding in preterm, low-birthweight infants. Despite its benefits, KC is underutilized in Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) due to challenges in managing medical equipment. This study introduces the Kangarobe™, a novel garment designed to facilitate safe, comfortable, and efficient KC for medically fragile infants in high-acuity NICUs.

Methods: From 2021 to 2023, a feasibility study was conducted involving 25 infant-parent dyads in a Level IV NICU. The Kangarobe™ was designed using human-centered design principles and tested on infants dependent on respiratory support. Surveys employing a 5-point Likert scale were administered to parents and nursing staff to assess safety, comfort, ease of use, and procedural access.

Results: Survey results showed positive feedback from both parents and nursing staff, particularly in the areas of safety and comfort. For example, 72-80% of parents and nurses responded positively regarding ease and comfort. High level of agreement (76%) on the security of medical line management, with minimal negative feedback. In addition, parents using the Kangarobe™ held their infants for an average of 171 min per session, with a notable increase compared to the typical 75 min, indicating enhanced comfort and feasibility for extended KC sessions. The Kangarobe™ successfully enabled the secure management of medical lines and tubes, with the vertical access window improving procedural efficiency without interrupting KC.

Conclusions: The Kangarobe™ demonstrates promise in addressing barriers to KC in high-acuity NICUs. By enhancing safety, comfort, and ease of use, it supports wider adoption of KC practices, potentially improving patient safety, staff efficiency, and family-centered care.

Keywords: NICU; acute care settings; innovation; kangaroo care; line management; neonatal care; neonatology; pediatric care; pediatric medical device; premature infant care; preterm baby care; product design; skin-to-skin care.

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Conflict of interest statement

Ruth Ann Crystal and Jules Sherman are the inventors of the Kangarobe.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Simulation of KC using the Kangarobe™ for an intubated manikin baby connected to ventilator tubing. The Kangarobe™ garment includes snap fasteners and loops that attach to disposable Velcro® points of attachment to secure ventilator tubing, feeding tubes, and intravenous lines, a belt used for support under the baby, and snaps at the neckline to keep parent and baby covered.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Close-up view of the disposable Velcro® securing respiratory tubing.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The vertical access window allows nurses to do heel sticks or checks on the baby without disturbing KC and while keeping the parent covered.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Parent and Nurse Surveys using a 5-point Likert Scale.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Parent and Nurse Surveys using a 5-point Likert Scale.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Parent Survey Responses.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Nurse survey responses.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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