OBJECTIVES: to compare premature newborns' suction in the Mother-Kangoroo method with newborns submitted to traditional care. METHODS: thirty premature newborns with gestational age between 30 and 35 weeks were selected. The samples were comprised of two groups: Group 1: 16 newborns of the Mother Kangoroo Ward of the Maternity School Assis Chateaubriand and Group 2: formed by 14 newborns submitted to traditional care, i.e. Medium Risk Nursery of the General Hospital of Fortaleza. All newborns were evaluated and submitted to phoniatric intervention in the process of hospital discharge. RESULTS: in Group 1 there was a significant improvement related to behavior, stress signs, coordination and suction rhythm. Hospital stay was considerably shorter. In group 2 there was a significant improvement related to the coordination between suction, deglutition and breathing. CONCLUSIONS: newborns of both groups were benefited by phoniatrics, nevertheless, the best results related to the Kangaroo-Mother Method. It has been noted that this method is a good alternative for developing countries for it contributes to the effectiveness of nursing, shortening hospital stay and reducing public health costs.
Kangaroo Mother Method; Infant premature; Breast feeding
