JOURNAL OF Mother and Child Health Concerns
Vol. 5 No. 4 (2026): July Edition 2026

Combined infant massage and kangaroo mother care for weight gain in a low-birth-weight infant: A nursing case study

Regina Natalia (Institut Kesehatan Mitra Bunda)
Filza Fadhila (Institut Kesehatan Mitra Bunda)
Fasida Dharma Yudastoro (Institut Kesehatan Mitra Bunda)



Article Info

Publish Date
21 Jul 2026

Abstract

Background: Low-birth-weight infants are vulnerable to feeding difficulties, hypothermia, impaired growth, and nutritional problems because of physiological immaturity. Infant massage and kangaroo mother care are non-pharmacological nursing interventions that may support physiological stability, breastfeeding, and weight gain. Purpose: To describe the implementation of infant massage and kangaroo mother care in supporting weight gain in a low-birth-weight infant. Method: A nursing case study was conducted using the nursing care process. The participant was one clinically stable low-birth-weight infant with a nursing diagnosis of risk for nutritional deficit. Data were collected through nursing assessment, physical examination, observation, medical record review, and daily body-weight monitoring. Infant massage and kangaroo mother care were implemented according to hospital procedures during five days of hospitalization. Results: The infant’s body weight increased from 2,150 g to 2,300 g over five days. Improvement was also observed in sucking ability and general clinical condition. No adverse events related to the interventions were reported during the observation period. Conclusion: Infant massage and kangaroo mother care may support weight gain and clinical stability in low-birth-weight infants. However, findings from a single case should be interpreted cautiously, and further studies with larger samples and longer follow-up are needed.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

mchc

Publisher

Subject

Health Professions Nursing Public Health

Description

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