The effects of birth kangaroo care on exclusively breastfeeding and baby's growth and development according to attachment theory

Healthy child development is the main determinant of lifelong health starting from neonatal period. Breastfeeding is also one of the most important factors in the growth of the baby and a unique nutrient that supports the optimal development of the baby. Kangaroo care is a developmental care method developed to improve the quality of life of premature babies. When the benefits of kangaroo care on development and feeding with breast milk on premature babies are considered; term babies should also receive kangaroo care and kangaroo care should be started immediately after birth. The aim of this research is to investigate the effect of kangaroo care at birth only on breast milk feeding status and infant growth and development according to attachment theory. This is a randomized controlled, experimental, prospective study. The sample of the study consisted of pregnant women between 36-38 gestational weeks who met the pregnant outpatient clinic of Buca Maternity and Children Hospital between March 2017 and February 2019 (n: 132). Randomized consent forms were signed according to the protocol numbers of the pregnant women, and a questionnaire was applied regarding their introductory characteristics. Pregnant women in the intervention group received "kangaroo care and breastfeeding" training and their babies were given kangaroo care at birth. Routine care was given to the mothers and their babies in the control group.Maternal attachment levels of mothers in both groups after birth and infants' only breastfeeding status and infant growth and development in the first, third, sixth and ninth months were evaluated. The analysis of the data obtained from the study was analyzed by statistical package number, percentage, chi-square, scale mean scores and t-test in Statistical Package for Social Science 21 package program. Statistical significance level was accepted as p <0.05. Breastfeeding rate of the babies who received kangaroo care only during the first six months, follow-up growth parameters of the first, third, sixth and ninth month follow-up of babies who did not receive kangaroo care, breastfeeding rate of the first six months only, first, third, sixth and ninth months. It was found to be statistically higher than the growth parameters (p <0.05).There was no statistically significant difference between the first, third, sixth and ninth month follow-up development parameters of the infants receiving kangaroo care and the first, third, sixth and ninth month follow-up development parameters of the infants without kangaroo care (p> 0.05). The maternal attachment scale scores of the mothers who applied kangaroo care were found to be higher than the mean maternal attachment scale scores of the mothers who did not care for kangaroo at the first, third, sixth and ninth months (p <0.05). As a result of the study, it was found that kangaroo care at birth had a positive effect only on breast milk feeding and baby growth. It is recommended that kangaroo care should be started and maintained immediately after birth and training should be given to midwives who are primarily responsible in this regard to improve applicability. Keywords; Kangaroo Care, Growth, Development, Breastfeeding, Maternal Attachment