It is one of the simplest medical interventions that exists: place the newborn baby directly on the mother's or father's bare chest, skin to skin. In India, this method — called kangaroo mother care — has become a national strategy that saves hundreds of thousands of lives every year.
From Colombia to the whole world
Kangaroo mother care was originally developed in Colombia in the 1970s as an alternative to incubators, which many hospitals could not afford. The method proved surprisingly effective: the body contact regulates the baby's temperature, stabilizes heart rate, and promotes breastfeeding.
India, which has the world's highest number of newborns, has made the method a national standard in its healthcare system. In rural areas where access to advanced medical equipment is limited, kangaroo care has been shown to reduce neonatal mortality by up to 40 percent according to UNICEF reports.
More than just warmth
The effect involves far more than temperature regulation. Skin-to-skin contact triggers oxytocin in both mother and baby, which strengthens bonding and reduces stress. Premature babies who receive kangaroo care have better weight gain, fewer infections, and shorter hospital stays.
Perhaps the most striking finding is that the method outperforms expensive incubators in many settings. Not because incubators are poor tools, but because human contact provides additional effects that technology alone cannot replace.
India has shown that simple, evidence-based care can be scaled to reach millions of families — regardless of economic circumstances.
What does the evidence say globally?
The WHO recommends kangaroo mother care as standard practice for all newborns, especially those born prematurely or with low birth weight. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also recommends immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth and as much as possible during the first hours and days.
Research consistently shows that skin-to-skin contact:
- Stabilizes the baby's temperature, heart rate, and breathing
- Reduces pain responses in newborns
- Promotes breastfeeding and milk production
- Strengthens the parent–baby bond
- Shortens hospital stays for premature babies
For premature babies, extended kangaroo care is a central part of neonatal intensive care. Read more about the first days with your baby in our newborn guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is kangaroo care, and is it practiced widely?
Kangaroo care is skin-to-skin contact where the newborn is placed directly on the parent's bare chest. The WHO and AAP recommend skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth and as much as possible during the first hours and days — for both full-term and premature babies. It is standard practice in most hospitals in high-income countries and increasingly in lower-income settings as well.
Can fathers also provide kangaroo care?
Yes, skin-to-skin contact works just as well with fathers as with mothers. Research shows that oxytocin is released in both parents during skin contact, which strengthens bonding and helps the baby with temperature regulation and stress reduction. Both parents are encouraged to hold the baby on their chest.
How long should you do skin-to-skin with a newborn?
The WHO and AAP recommend continuous skin-to-skin contact during the first hours after birth, and as much as possible during the first days. For premature babies, extended kangaroo care is recommended — ideally several hours a day — as a central part of neonatal intensive care treatment. There is no upper limit on how much skin contact is beneficial.
Does kangaroo care help with breastfeeding?
Yes, skin-to-skin contact promotes breastfeeding by stimulating the baby's natural reflexes to find the breast. It also triggers oxytocin in the mother, which stimulates milk production. Research shows that babies who receive early and frequent skin contact have a better breastfeeding start and a longer breastfeeding period.