Children's - St. Paul pioneered kangaroo care in the U.S.

Kangaroo care was a new idea in the U.S. when Chris Clark, a mother with a premature infant, approached the Children's-St. Paul staff with the idea of trying it with her child in 1989. Kangaroo care, or skin-to-skin, originated in Bogata, Colombia and is the process of holding a newborn infant close to the skin. It is now known the process helps premature babies develop and is recommended for infants in the neonatal intensive care unit.




Chris Clark tried kangaroo care with her son David, and believes he thrived and grew to be a healthy happy child because of the experience. Children's-St. Paul was the first in the nation to try kangaroo care, and 20 plus years later is still considered a pioneer in the method, and in general neonatal care.


Today David is a healthy 22-year-old and Chris has switched careers as a result of her experience, becoming a lactation consultant who often helps mothers of premature babies.

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• kangaroo care
• preemies
• skin-to-skin
• NICU
• pediatrics
• babies
• health
• kids
• hospital
• Minneapolis
• St. Paul
• Minnesota