Introduction: The birth of a premature infant presents a significant challenge for the newborn, the parents, and healthcare professionals. Preterm birth is often associated with the immaturity of organ systems, which affects the stability of vital functions and requires intensive medical care. In this context, early physical contact between the mother and the infant is frequently overlooked. Kangaroo Mother Care, a method based on skin-to-skin contact, has emerged as one of the approaches to improving health outcomes in premature infants and enhancing the psychophysiological well-being of mothers. Purpose: This thesis aimed to explore the significance of Kangaroo Mother Care for premature infants. The focus was on examining its effects on the infants’ physiological parameters and on the psychological, emotional, and physiological condition of the mothers. Methods: We used a descriptive method. We conducted a review of domestic and foreign scientific literature. The literature search was conducted between March 2024 and April 2025 using Google Scholar and DiKUL search engines and the academic databases MedLine/PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL Ultimate, and Cochrane. Results: The analysis of the literature showed that the method positively affects the stabilization of heart rate, respiration, body temperature, oxygen saturation, and the reduction of perceived pain in preterm infants. In addition, Kangaroo Mother Care reduces stress, depression, and anxiety in mothers and supports maternal self-efficacy and bonding. Some studies also reported effects on mothers’ physiological parameters, such as lower levels of stress hormones and increased oxytocin secretion. Discussion and conclusion: Kangaroo Mother Care proves to be an effective, accessible, and safe method that contributes to improved health and psychological outcomes for both the infant and the mother. The findings support the integration of this method as part of comprehensive care for premature infants. Future research should further examine the long-term effects and implementation strategies of the method in clinical settings.
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