Bayi Berat Badan Lahir Rendah (BBLR) merupakan salah satu penyebab tingginya kematian bayi dalam satu bulan pertama kehidupan di Indonesia. Bayi BBLR rentan terhadap hipotermia. Salah satu penanganannya dengan Perawatan Metode Kanguru (PMK). Metode ini tak sekedar menggantikan peran inkubator tapi juga memberi peluang bayi untuk beradaptasi baik dengan lingkungan ekstrauterin. Tujuan penelitian kualitatif deskriptif fenomenologi ini untuk mengeksplorasi pengalaman ibu dalam melakukan PMK. Delapan partisipan terpilih dengan metode purposive dan memenuhi kriteria memiliki bayi BBLR dan berpengalaman melakukan PMK selama dirawat di rumah sakit serta menindaklanjuti di rumah. Data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara mendalam sebanyak dua kali yang dilengkapi dengan catatan lapangan, baik yang dilakukan di rumah ataupun di tempat lain yang disepakati oleh partisipan. Wawancara direkam kemudian dibuat transkrip verbatim dan dianalisis dengan metode Colaizzi. Hasil penelitian mengungkapkan kelahiran bayi BBLR menimbulkan ekspresi emosional baik positif dan negatif. Makna, perasaan, alasan dan motivasi yang diungkapkan partisipan adalah mempertahankan kelangsungan hidup bayi, memberi kehangatan, melakukan yang terbaik untuk bayinya. Gambaran cara ibu melakukan PMK mengikuti cara yang diajarkan di rumah sakit, PMK secara kontinu dengan posisi pronasi. Bentuk dukungan berupa dukungan edukasi, emosional dan fisik. Harapan partisipan adanya peningkatan kualitas pelayanan kesehatan, sosialisasi PMK, dan pemantauan perkembangan bayi BBLR. Hasil penelitian ini memberikan implikasi berupa informasi yang bermanfaat untuk mempromosikan posisi lateral dekubitus yang dapat memperbaiki kondisi psikologis ibu dan neuromotor bayi, meningkatkan pelayanan konseling dan memfasilitasi pembentukan kelompok pendukung PMK. Kata kunci: beratbadan lahir rendah, fenomenologi, perawatan metode kanguru AbstractLow birth weight (LBW) baby is one of the causes of high infant mortality rate, especially in the first one month of birth, in Indonesia. LBW babies are vulnerable to hypothermia. The kangaroo mother care method can be used to prevent hypothermia in LBW babies. This method is not only replacing the incubator, but also giving the chance for babies to adapt well with extra-uterine environment. The aim of this descriptive phenomenology study is to explore the mothers’ experience in performing the kangaroo mother care method. Eight participants were chosen using purposive method and fulfilled criteria of having LBW baby and has been performing the kangaroo mother care method in the hospital and continuing this method of care at home. The data were collected twice through in-depth interview in the mothers’ house or elsewhere that has been agreed by participants. The interview is recorded and then transcribed verbatim and analyzed using Colaizzi method. The result shows that the baby, who was born with LBW, caused positive and emotional expression for the mothers. The reason and motivation that is expressed by participants are maintaining the baby survival, giving the warmth for the baby, and doing the best for her baby. The mothers followed the kangaroo method as shown in the hospital which is continuous kangaroo mother care method in prone position. The mothers perceived that they have received support in terms of educational, emotional and physical. The mother are hoping that there will be improvement in health care service quality, socialization of kangaroo mother care method, and monitoring of LBW babies’ development .This study can be used to give information to promote lateral decubitus position that could improve mothers’ psychological condition as well as improve neuromotor of babies , to improve the counseling service, and to facilitate the establishment of support group for kangaroo method. Key words: Low birth weight baby, kangaroo mother care method, phenomenology
