Effects of the prone position and kangaroo care on gastric residual volume, vital signs and comfort in preterm infants.

The infants fed in the kangaroo care position have a lower heart rate, better comfort levels and less distress after feeding. These positive effects ensure that preterm infants experience less stress and consume less energy. What is currently known? It has been determined that kangaroo care reduces the pain response and heart rate of the newborn, increases the duration of sleep, reduces the length of stay in the hospital, facilitates breastfeeding, reduces the risk of hypothermia, decreases the mother's anxiety level by initiating the relationship between the mother and infant, and improves the infant's growth and development. What does this article add? While there were no differences between prone and kangaroo positions during feeding with regard to gastric residual volumes, we found that the heart rate, comfort scores and distress scores were lower in the kangaroo care position than in the prone position.