Celebrating Skin-to-Skin Connection at Children’s Mercy Kansas City

Bonsie Skin to Skin Babywear was honored to participate in the Kangaroo Care-A-Thon at Children’s Mercy Kansas City, an inspiring event dedicated to celebrating and educating families about the life-changing benefits of Kangaroo Care, also known as skin-to-skin contact.

The lovely staff who made the Kangaroo Care-A-Thon possible

What is Kangaroo Care?

Kangaroo Care is the practice of placing a diapered baby directly on a parent’s bare chest, skin to skin, and covering them both with a blanket. This powerful, evidence-based method of care began in the late 1970s in Bogotá, Colombia, as a response to a shortage of incubators in neonatal units. Doctors discovered that babies held against their parents' skin not only stayed warm but also thrived—showing improvements in weight gain, bonding, and overall development.

Dad practices skin to skin with daughter in NICU

Today, Kangaroo Care is widely used in hospitals around the world, especially in NICUs, as it is known to regulate a baby’s temperature, heart rate, and breathing, reduce stress, promote breastfeeding, and strengthen emotional connection between parent and baby.

Our Role at the Kangaroo Care-A-Thon

At this year’s event, Bonsie donated babywear designed to make skin-to-skin contact easier and more accessible—especially in a hospital setting. Our signature Romper, featuring a front-opening design, was a hit among parents and caregivers. Many families even asked if Bonsie would soon be available in the Children’s Mercy gift shop!

Bonsie donated over 50 pieces to the Kangaroo Care-A-Thon

As part of the day’s festivities, over 50 family members attended the Lunch & Learn where they answered Kangaroo Care trivia questions to win a Bonsie outfit. We loved hearing how both hospital staff and families responded so positively to our donation—and how many were already familiar with the value of this kind of bonding.

Why We Support Kangaroo Care

At Bonsie, we believe in the science and the heart behind skin-to-skin care. Every design we create is meant to support the connection between baby and parent—whether in the comfort of home or during a hospital stay. It’s a privilege to support families during some of their most vulnerable and transformative moments.

Mom practicing skin to skin at home while breastfeeding her baby wearing Bonsie's Avocado Footie

We’re incredibly grateful to the team at Children’s Mercy for including us in such a meaningful event. Their commitment to supporting newborn development, family education, and compassionate care aligns deeply with our mission—and we’re already looking forward to participating again next year.