The relevance of support devices for kangaroo mother care in neonatology units

integrative literature review

Authors

  • Carolina Correia Unidade Local de Saúde de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (ULSTMAD), Serviço de Neonatologia, Vila Real, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8710-1557
  • Célia Nunes Unidade Local de Saúde de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (ULSTMAD), Serviço de Neonatologia, Vila Real, Portugal; Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde e Enfermagem, Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4490-031X
  • Manuel Cordeiro Instituto Politécnico de Viseu, Escola Superior de Saúde, Viseu, Portugal; UICISA: E, Viseu, Portugal; UniCiSE, Viseu, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5114-1300
  • Isabel Bica Instituto Politécnico de Viseu, Escola Superior de Saúde, Viseu, Portugal; CINTESIS@RISE, Porto, Portugal; UICISA: E, Viseu, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7019-0132

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48492/servir0211.39126

Keywords:

newborn, kangaroo-mother care method, protective devices, neonatology

Abstract

Introduction: Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is one of the most effective strategies for caring for newborn and their parents, based on the philosophy of Family-Centered Care (FCC). Current literature points out that the safety of the newborn, the lack of resources in Neonatology services, such as protective devices during KMC, are barriers to the efficient implementation of the kangaroo method.

Objective: To identify the evidence available in the literature on support devices in KMC and to understand their relevance during KMC in newborns in neonatal units.

Method: Integrative literature review using the Whittemore and Knaf methodology, with research of studies in electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, Cinahl Complete, and Nursing & Allied Health Collection. The search resulted in 130 articles being detected 38 duplicate articles. Thus, 19 articles were selected for full reading, and according to the defined criteria, 4 studies were included.

Results: Of the included studies, the authors emphasize the importance of support devices in promoting the safety of the newborn, preventing falls, and enabling greater durability of KMC, thereby maximizing skin-to-skin contact, bonding, and breastfeeding.

Conclusion: The use of support devices in KMC offers benefits for newborns owing to their ease of use, appropriate support, allowing correct positioning, especially in the presence of medical devices, and enhancing the newborn’s self-regulation and breastfeeding.

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References

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Published

2025-05-28

How to Cite

Correia, C., Nunes, C., Cordeiro, M. ., & Bica, I. (2025). The relevance of support devices for kangaroo mother care in neonatology units: integrative literature review . Servir, 2(11), e39126. https://doi.org/10.48492/servir0211.39126