It's suggested that mothers hold their premature baby as much as possible.
Parents can hold their baby using "kangaroo care," or skin-to-skin care, in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Whether or not parents can hold their baby in the NICU depends on the baby’s condition. Extremely sick babies often require treatment with multiple monitors, a ventilator, umbilical lines, special heating devices and other equipment that make moving the baby difficult. However, even the sickest babies benefit from human touch, such as holding their little hands or touching their head, and from hearing their parents’ voices. Then, once the baby’s condition improves the nurses will assist the parents to hold the baby. Many NICU’s encourage parents to use a kangaroo hold or skin to skin contact when holding infants in the NICU.
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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.