First stage of the Kangoroo Method: adaptation of mothers of premature newborns to Roy's light.
Adriana Modesto Caxias, Marcia Helena Machado Nascimento, Juliana Conceição Dias Garcez and 5 others
PMID 42585486WHAT IT FOUND
Mothers of preterm babies described shock, worry and disrupted sleep in the NICU, then more confidence and hope; they said skin-to-skin, staff guidance and family support helped them care for their infants.
Key findings
01Mothers described surprise, sadness, fear, shock and anguish at the prematurity diagnosis; after their child's NICU stay, some described more confidence and hope and valued skin-to-skin contact.
02Staff who involved mothers in care and informed them about their baby's condition, and family support, were described as helping mothers adapt.
03Mothers reported disrupted sleep and rest, physical discomfort and emotional changes, and described their role in the NICU as changing over time.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
It was done in one hospital NICU, so mothers' experiences may be similar and not transferable to other units. Only 15 mothers were interviewed, and three invited mothers did not take part. Interviews were short, averaging 7 minutes 38 seconds, so depth may be limited. The analysis was organised around Roy's model, which may shape what themes emerged. This is qualitative description; it does not test whether kangaroo care or staff guidance caused better adaptation.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as proof that kangaroo care or staff guidance improves maternal adaptation. The study reports what 15 mothers described in one NICU, not measured outcomes.