The experiences of mothers of premature babies with the kangaroo method: a literature integrative

Abstract

The Kangaroo Mother Care method is a humanized approach to caring for preterm newborns. Theoretically, it consists of three fundamental stages that build a care pathway to reduce infant mortality rates and strengthen the emotional bond between the child and the family. Given this, mothers undergo a process of adapting their daily lives to the new conditions of the hospital routine, which can generate emotional distress and physical exhaustion. This study aimed to present the experiences of mothers in caring for premature newborns using the Kangaroo Mother Care method. This is a integrative literature review of a descriptive nature. The search for studies was conducted between February and May 2026 via BVS, SciELO, and the CAPES periodicals portal, using the descriptors "Kangaroo Mother Care," "mothers," and "premature," combined with Boolean operators. Ten articles available in full, published between 2016 and 2026, in Portuguese, were included. The findings indicate that the kangaroo method offers a unique experience that promotes the building of the emotional bond and maternal identity. Furthermore, it influences maternal well-being, self-esteem, and confidence in caring for the premature infant. The implementation of the strategy still presents weaknesses related to health education and professional training, especially for the nursing team, which plays the role of facilitator of the kangaroo method. It is concluded that the kangaroo method is a fundamental tool for supporting mothers during the hospitalization of premature infants, demonstrating a significant improvement in the overall condition of these mothers. In addition, it is necessary to stimulate new scientific research on this topic, with the aim of encouraging the adoption of best practices and disseminating information.