Close to the Heart: A Phenomenological Study on Mothers’ Experiences with Kangaroo Mother Care

This descriptive phenomenological study explored and described the lived experiences of mothers practicing Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) in Bauko, Mountain Province. The study specifically sought to understand the emotional, physical, cultural, and social elements shaping their caregiving journeys. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with eight purposefully selected mothers who met the specific inclusion criteria. Data collection continued until saturation was reached. The transcripts were analyzed verbatim using Colaizzi’s method of phenomenological data analysis. Four main themes emerged: (1) Emotional and Psychological Empowerment, (2) Physical and Health Benefits, (3) Coping Strategies and Adaptation, and (4) Cultural and Social Support. The findings revealed that KMC serves as a transformative experience, evolving initial maternal fears into caregiving confidence, promoting infant stability, and proving deeply compatible with local traditions of maternal closeness. The study highlights the need to establish designated KMC-friendly spaces in health facilities, implement structured educational orientation programs to promote father and family engagement, and integrate post-discharge home-based follow-ups to optimize neonatal care in rural settings. This paper offers local, evidence-based qualitative depth on maternal realities in a rural Philippine community, illustrating how public health guidelines blend with indigenous practices like “yakap and malasakit” to advance child survival.