Effect of intermittent kangaroo mother care on weight gain of low birth weight neonates with delayed weight gain.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate intermittent Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) with additional opportunities to breastfeed on weight gain of low birth weight (LBW) neonates with delayed weight gain. METHODS: 40 LBW neonates were followed to see whether KMC with additional opportunities to breastfeed improved weight gain. RESULTS: In the KMC group, the mean age of regaining birth weight was significantly less (15.68 vs. 24.56 days) and the average daily weight gain was significantly higher (22.09 vs. 10.39 g, p < .001) than controls. CONCLUSION: KMC with additional opportunities to breastfeed was found to be an effective intervention for LBWs with delayed weight gain and should be considered to be an effective strategy.