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# Mometrix ## Benefits of Kangaroo Care * Regulation of temperature, heart and respiratory rates. * Calming effect with decreased stress. * Decreased episodes of apnea. * Increased weight gain. * Enhanced bonding with the mother. * Fewer nosocomial infections. ## Benefits to the Mother of Kangaro...

# Mometrix ## Benefits of Kangaroo Care * Regulation of temperature, heart and respiratory rates. * Calming effect with decreased stress. * Decreased episodes of apnea. * Increased weight gain. * Enhanced bonding with the mother. * Fewer nosocomial infections. ## Benefits to the Mother of Kangaroo Care * Enhanced bonding with the infant. * Increased production of breast milk with higher rates of successful breastfeeding. * Increased confidence in caring for the infant. * Increased opportunity for teaching and assessing maternal care by nursing staff. ## Benefits to the Institution of Kangaroo Care * Earlier discharge from hospital. * Decreased morbidity and mortality (especially in developing countries). * Decreased use of financial resources. ## Thermoregulation - Skin Temperature Probes Skin temperature probes are often used to monitor the temperature of the infant in an isolette or radiant warmer. Incorrect placement of the probe can alter the reading, causing the warming device to deliver too much or too little heat. The temperature probe should not be placed over a bony area of the body or over an area where brown adipose tissue is abundant. Brown adipose tissue is abundant around the neck, the midscapular region of the back, the mediastinum and organs in the thoracic cavity, kidneys, and adrenal glands. A common probe placement area for an infant who is supine is over the liver. If the probe is not making good skin contact, it will indicate that the infant is cold, and the warmer will deliver increased amounts of heat, possibly causing hyperthermia. If the probe is underneath the infant, it may indicate an artificially warm temperature and decrease heat to the infant, causing hypothermia. ## Thermoregulation - Neutral Thermal Environment A neutral thermal environment (NTE) is a place in which the infant's body temperature is maintained within a normal range without alterations in metabolic rate or increased oxygen consumption (i.e., environmental temperature in which oxygen consumption and glucose consumption are lowest). Infants who are in an NTE are not utilizing energy to maintain their body temperature in the normal range. Just because an infant has a normal body temperature does not mean he/she is in an NTE. The infant may still be utilizing mechanisms, such as non-shivering thermogenesis, to maintain body temperatures, as evidenced by increased oxygen consumption and poor weight gain over time. Charts are commercially available that outline the appropriate NTE for infants based on current weight and birth weight. ## Radiant Warmers Radiant warmers are devices that provide overhead heat directly to the infant. Radiant heaters provide an area for direct observation and free access to the infant, which is very useful in the initial evaluation and resuscitation (if necessary) of the newborn, or for procedures such as