Effects of kangaroo care education on neonatal comfort, mother–ınfant bonding, and maternal comfort: a randomized controlled trial in women in the third trimester of pregnancy

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of structured kangaroo care education provided to pregnant women in the third trimester on neonatal comfort, maternal comfort, and mother–infant bonding during the postpartum period. This randomized controlled intervention study was conducted between April and November 2025 at a training and research hospital. A total of 42 primiparous pregnant women at 35–38 weeks of gestation were included in the study and allocated to the intervention group ( n = 21) or the control group ( n = 21). The intervention group received a single structured face-to-face prenatal kangaroo care education session lasting approximately 40–45 min, including both theoretical instruction and practical demonstration, and was supported for four weeks after birth. The control group received routine care only. Data were collected within the first 24 h after birth and at the fourth postpartum week using the Neonatal Comfort Behavior Scale (COMFORTneo), the General Comfort Questionnaire Short Form, and the Mother–Infant Bonding Scale. Data were analyzed using chi-square test, independent-samples t-test, paired t-test, repeated-measures ANOVA, and multiple linear regression analysis. Neonates in the intervention group had significantly lower COMFORTneo scores than those in the control group within the first 24 h postpartum and at the fourth week ( p = 0.026 and p < 0.001, respectively). Since lower COMFORTneo scores indicate better neonatal comfort, these findings suggest improved neonatal comfort in the intervention group. At the fourth week, mother–infant bonding scores were significantly better in the intervention group than in the control group ( p = 0.004). No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of maternal comfort; however, maternal comfort increased significantly over time in the intervention group ( p < 0.001). Large effect sizes were observed for within-group changes in neonatal comfort and maternal comfort in the intervention group. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that being in the intervention group was an independent predictor of neonatal comfort (β=-0.535, p = 0.001). Kangaroo care education provided during the third trimester of pregnancy improved neonatal comfort and strengthened mother–infant bonding. In addition, maternal comfort improved significantly over time. These findings indicate that structured kangaroo care education provided during the prenatal period is an effective and feasible nursing intervention for improving postpartum care outcomes. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT06953817. First submitted on 15 April 2025 and first posted on 1 May 2025; retrospectively registered. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06953817 .