Celebrating Kangaroo Care Day with Stoke Mandeville’s Neonatal Unit

Every so often, an email lands in our inbox that reminds us exactly why we do what we do.

Recently, we were contacted by a Neonatal Occupational Therapist at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. The neonatal team were planning a very special Kangaroo-care-a-thon for the parents and babies on the unit, and wondered whether Hana Baby might be interested in donating a couple of our lovely stretchy wraps as prizes.

Of course, we were absolutely thrilled to do so.

We know how precious those early moments of closeness can be, especially when a baby has arrived early or needs extra care. So we were delighted to send some Hana Baby Wraps to support the day and celebrate the incredible families spending time on the neonatal unit.

After the event, Candice from the unit wrote to us and said:

“Your incredible donations really made our Kangaroo Care Day!!

We had bunting, a tea round, Kangaroo shaped biscuits…a wally in a Kangaroo suit (me!) and the parents had a great skin to skin competition and the winners and runners up absolutely adored the prizes you so kindly donated!”

It sounded like such a joyful, thoughtful and uplifting day. We were so honoured to have played even a tiny part in it.

What is kangaroo care?

Kangaroo care is a type of skin to skin contact where a baby is placed against a parent or carer’s bare chest. The baby is usually held upright, close and supported, often with a blanket or clothing around them to help keep them warm.

It is called kangaroo care because it mirrors the way a kangaroo keeps her baby close, warm and protected. For premature babies, who may have spent time in an incubator or needed medical support, this close contact can be incredibly meaningful.

On a neonatal unit, kangaroo care will always be guided by the healthcare team. If a baby has tubes, wires or medical equipment attached, staff can help parents move and hold their baby safely and comfortably.

Why kangaroo care can be so important for premature babies

For premature babies, the world can feel very bright, noisy and overwhelming. They may not yet be ready to regulate everything on their own in the way a full-term baby might. Skin to skin contact offers warmth, comfort and familiarity.

Kangaroo care can help premature babies maintain a steadier body temperature, support feeding, encourage better sleep and help regulate their heartrate. It can also be an important way for parents to feel more connected and confident in caring for their baby.

For many neonatal parents, those first cuddles are deeply emotional. When your baby is being cared for by a medical team, it can sometimes feel as though everyone else knows what to do and you are waiting on the sidelines. Kangaroo care can gently bring parents back into the centre of their baby’s care.

It is a reminder that your touch, your voice, your smell and your heartbeat matter.

Skin to skin is powerful for all babies

Although kangaroo care is often spoken about in relation to premature babies, skin to skin is wonderful for all babies, whether they are born early or at term.

For newborns, being held close against a parent’s chest can help them feel safe and calm after birth. It can support bonding, feeding and emotional connection. Babies recognise the rhythm of a parent’s heartbeat, the warmth of their body and the sound of their voice. These simple, natural things can be incredibly reassuring.

Skin to skin is not only for mums, either. Dads, partners and other carers can all enjoy this closeness with baby. It is a beautiful way to bond, especially in those early days when everyone is getting to know each other.

Choosing a sling suitable for a premature baby

Many parents look for a premature baby sling because they want a gentle way to continue that closeness beyond the first skin to skin moments. A soft stretchy wrap can be a lovely option, because it moulds around both parent and baby, offering supportive, womb-like closeness.

Our Hana Baby Organic Wrap and Standard Sling can be used from 5lb 7oz, making it a wonderful choice for many smaller babies. As with any sling suitable for a premature baby, it is important to follow safe babywearing guidance and seek advice from your midwife, neonatal team, health visitor or a qualified babywearing consultant if your baby was born early, has medical needs or is very small.

A good fit matters. Baby should be close enough to kiss, well supported, with their airway clear, chin off chest and their face visible at all times. For premature babies, extra care should be taken to make sure positioning is safe and appropriate for their stage of development.

Stretchy slings for premature babies: why softness matters

Stretchy slings for premature babies are often loved because they feel soft, gentle and reassuring. The Hana Baby Organic Wrap is made from a beautiful blend of bamboo and organic cotton, giving it a soft, breathable feel while still offering supportive stretch.

In 2024, Wear My Baby named the Hana Baby Organic Wrap as “Best Baby Wrap for Premature Babies” in their guide to the best baby wraps. They described it as easy to use, stretchy and brilliant for smaller babies.

That recognition meant so much to us because supporting tiny babies and their families has always been close to our hearts.

The best sling for a premature baby is one used safely and confidently

When people ask about the best sling for a premature baby, the answer is always one that is safe, supportive and suited to your baby’s needs.

For some families, a stretchy wrap can become part of daily life once baby is ready: a way to enjoy closeness, support bonding and make gentle everyday moments easier. For others, especially while still on the neonatal unit, kangaroo care may begin simply with supported skin to skin cuddles under the guidance of hospital staff.

There is no rush. Every baby is different. Every neonatal journey is different. What matters most is that parents feel supported, informed and confident.

Honoured to support these amazing parents and babies

We are so grateful to Candice and the neonatal team at Stoke Mandeville Hospital for inviting us to be part of their Kangaroo Care Day. The thought of parents enjoying skin to skin time with their babies, surrounded by bunting, tea, kangaroo biscuits and a very dedicated kangaroo-suited member of staff, is something we will not forget.

To every parent currently spending time on a neonatal unit: you are doing amazingly. Your presence matters. Your touch matters. And those moments of closeness, however small they may feel at the time, can be incredibly powerful.

We were truly honoured to donate our wraps as prizes for such special babies and their wonderful parents.