Vivências paternas na realização da posição canguru com recém-nascidos de baixo peso

Abstract

Background: The kangaroo position consists of keeping the newborn in skin-to-skin contact with the mother, father, or caregiver elected by the family. Its benefits include the newborn’s clinical improvement and weight gain. Objective: To describe the fathers’ experiences using the kangaroo position with their low-birth-weight newborns. Methods: A descriptive exploratory research, with a qualitative approach, was conducted in a neonatal unit, in southern Brazil. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, and a thematic content analysis was carried out. Results: Five fathers participated in the study, from which three categories resulted: the ambivalence of feelings; the ease and difficulty experienced; and the strengthening of the father-child bond. Conclusion: It is possible to go beyond the results of this study and consider the kangaroo position as a strategy to stimulate the father-child interaction and bonding, while effectively acting as a trigger for the development of fatherhood.