To evaluate and summarize the best available evidence of kangaroo mother care for premature infants both in China and abroad, and to provide evidence-based support for clinical practice.

Evidence on kangaroo mother care including evidence-based guidelines, best practices, systematic evaluation and so on were systematically retrieved from databases such as UpToDate, Cochrane Library, Ontario Registered Nurses Association of Canada, National Institute for Health and Care Optimization of the United Kingdom and National Guidelines Network of the United States from the establishment of the database to December 15th, 2018. Four researchers were divided into two groups and evaluated the quality of literature and extracted data.

Eight papers were included, including one guideline and seven systematic reviews. The best evidence included suitable population, support system, skin contact (timing, duration, operator) , breast feeding support, etc. After evidence extraction, evidence aggregationin combination with localized adjustment in clinical situation, this study has formed eight best evidences.

It is necessary to strengthen and support the education of relative knowledge about kangaroo mother care, improve the facilities and promote the development of clinical kangaroo mother care based on the evidence and consider the special humanistic attributes with clinical environment at the same time .

Infant, premature; Guidelines; Kangaroo mother care; Skin-to-skin contact; Systematic review; Evidence-based nursing; Best evidence