Effect of kangaroo mother care on improving breastfeeding of premature infants within 6 months of age

Objective To explore the effect of kangaroo mother care on improving breastfeeding of premature infants within 6 months of age at maternal and infant rooming-in ward. Methods Totally 120 hospitalized premature newborns delivered in Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital who were approved by neonatologist into the maternal and infant rooming-in ward from January to August 2020 were recruited as study subjects. They were divided into kangaroo mother care(KMC) group and control group by random number table method,with 60 cases in each groups. The control group(finally recruited 49 cases) was given routine nursing care. The KMC group(finally recruited 55 cases) received routine care and kangaroo mother care. Premature infants in KMC group who didn't need further KMC or only need KMC within 1 week after hospital discharge were regarded as KMC within hospital group(23 cases). Those who need more than 1 week KMC after hospital discharge were regarded as continuous KMC group(33 cases).Breastfeeding situation was compared between the two groups. Results Exclusive breastfeeding rate at discharge and 1,3,6 months age between the KMC group and control group was significantly different(χ²= 3. 485,P= 0. 048;χ²= 3. 561,P= 0. 047). Exclusive breastfeeding rate at 3 months and 6 months age, and mixed feeding rate at hospital discharge, 1, 3 and 6 months age were not significantly different(all P> 0. 05). After hospital discharge, the situation of exclusive breastfeeding and mixed feeding at 3 months age, and exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months age was significantly different between KMC within hospital group and continuous KMC group(χ²= 14. 222,P< 0. 001;χ²= 12. 913,P< 0. 001). Exclusive breastfeeding and mixed feeding at 1 month age and mixed feeding at 6 months age was not significantly different(all P> 0. 05). Conclusion KMC for premature infants in the maternal and infant rooming-in areas can promote breastfeeding. Continuous KMC after discharge is beneficial for the success of long-term breastfeeding and the health of premature infants, which is an effective way to promote breastfeeding for premature infants.