Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to implement safe and suitable kangaroo mother care with healthy mothers and newborns immediately after childbirth. In addition, it aimed to assess its effects on maternal attachment, maternal role confidence, and maternal role satisfaction. Research design, data and methodology: A quasi-experimental design was used with pre and posttests. A total of 58 participants were selected by convenience sampling through public notifications at a women's hospital. The control group performed routine care without providing kangaroo contact, and a posttest was performed four weeks after the pretest. The experimental group comprised healthy mothers who had given birth by cesarean section. They performed kangaroo mother care twice a day (60 min each) for four weeks for their newborns after the protocol was validated by an expert. Results: The results showed significantly higher maternal attachment, maternal role confidence, and maternal role satisfaction in mothers who participated in kangaroo mother care than those who did not. Our findings suggested that kangaroo mother care has a positive effect on the enhancement of maternal attachment and facilitation of maternal role confidence and satisfaction. Conclusions: Thus, the expansion and implementation of kangaroo mother care are necessary to promote healthier mother-child relationships.