Post Partum Competency Checklist
Post Partum Competency Checklist
- Ask mothers if they did kangaroo care immediately after delivery.
- Ask mothers if kangaroo care was explained to them.
- Reinforce or inform mother/partner/family about kangaroo care and benefits for all who practice it.
- Kangaroo care is holding diaper clad infant skin-to-skin, chest-to-chest.
- Should be done with all newborns
- Best place to keep infant warm or re-warm cold infant.
- Helps newborn adjust to life outside the uterus.
- Best habitat for the newborn is in kangaroo care where they:
- Feel safe,
- Feel protected,
- Can maintain normal temperature,
- Smell familiar odors,
- Hear familiar comforting sounds,
- Decreased perception of pain,
- Ready access to food.
- Kangaroo care is very important in the initiation of bonding and attachment.
- Kangaroo care will help the mother feel like a mother and initiate mothering behaviors.
- Kangaroo care helps both mother and newborn relax and decreases the effects of the stress of labor.
- Infants have more natural sleep when in KC
- Helps with breastfeeding initiation.
- When held in KC the infant is likely to move toward the breast and latch on.
- Providing infant with colostrum during the first few days coats the gut and lungs with immunological properties to protect newborn from infections. This initial protection last for a long time.
- KC encourages frequent breastfeeding.
- KC helps with establishment of hormones needed for milk supply.