NERS NEWS — A warm and enthusiastic atmosphere was seen in the neonatal ward at RSUD Dr. Soetomo during a Kangaroo Care (KC) educational session organized by Group 1 A2 students of the Nursing Professional Education Program, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga, on Friday (June 5, 2026). The event was attended by families of premature and low birth weight (LBW) infants receiving care. Through an interactive and communicative educational session, participants were guided to understand the importance of parental involvement in supporting the early recovery and development of their infants.
The session was presented by Yulisa Putri and Elya Arundati, who explained the basic concept of Kangaroo Care, its benefits, and how to apply it safely and comfortably. The session was moderated by Eka Shafira, with Galuh Julieta as facilitator and M. Ferdy Arrosyd as observer. Academic guidance was provided by Nuzul Qur’aniati, S.Kep.Ns., M.Ng., Ph.D., along with clinical supervision by Siti Wahyuni, S.Kep., Ns.
Kangaroo Care is a simple method involving direct skin-to-skin contact between the infant and the mother or other family members. This method has been proven to provide multiple benefits, including stabilizing the baby’s body temperature, improving breastfeeding success, accelerating recovery, and strengthening emotional bonding between parents and infants. During the session, participants were informed about the benefits of KC for premature and LBW infants and the critical role of family involvement in infant care.
Participants not only received theoretical knowledge but also had the opportunity to practice Kangaroo Care under the guidance of the nursing students. Parents actively engaged in learning the techniques and asked questions throughout the session. One participant shared that they felt more confident after receiving hands-on training on how to hold and care for their baby using the Kangaroo Care method.
Through this activity, the nursing students hoped that parents would better understand that caring for premature infants is not only the responsibility of healthcare professionals but also requires active family participation in daily care routines. This educational session serves as a simple yet impactful health education initiative that can greatly enhance the quality of life for premature and LBW infants. With proper and consistent application of KC, it is expected that infants will grow more optimally both during hospital care and after returning home.
Authors: Group 1/A2 Nursing Professional Education B27
Editor: Eva Khoirunnisa Adinta (Airlangga Nursing Journalist)
