Revisiting the roots of attachment: A review of the biological and psychological effects of maternal skin-to-skin contact and carrying of full-term infants

Abstract Background Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) compared to separation at birth has a positive effect on breastfeeding. However, separation at birth is common with negative impact on breastfeeding. The aim was to determine the effect of immediate SSC compared to early SSC on the duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Methods A randomized multicentre parallel clinical trial was conducted in two hospitals in Cundinamarca (Colombia) between November 2018 and January 2020. Low-risk full term newborns at birth were included. Neonates were assigned to immediate (in the first minute after birth) or early onset (start exactly at 60 min of life) skin to skin contact. Monthly follow-up was performed until 6 months of age. The primary outcome was the percentage of exclusively breastfed infants at 6 months (time in months with human milk as the only source of food). Secondary outcomes were the percentage of infants with exclusive breastfeeding at 3 months, duration in months of exclusive breastfeeding, neonate’s breastfeeding ability, percentage of weight change between birth and the first week of life and hospitalization in the neonatal unit in the first week. A bivariate analysis was performed to determine the variables associated with exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months. A survival analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of the onset of SSC on exclusive breastfeeding duration. Results A total of 297 newborns were included: 49.8% (n = 148) in the immediate SSC group, and 50.2% (n = 149) in the early SSC group. The mean duration of exclusive breastfeeding in both groups was 5 months. There were no differences between the groups in the percentage of exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months (relative risk [RR] 1.06, 95% CI 0.72, 1.58) or in the duration of exclusive breastfeeding (hazard ratio [HR] 0.98, 95% CI 0.74, 1.28). Conclusions The percentage of infants and the duration of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of age were the same between the two groups of SSC interventions. Given the current barriers to its implementation, the results of this study could positively impact the use of SSC at birth and standardize the intervention and improve breastfeeding indicators. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02687685.

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How to Move a Ventilated Baby From Bed/Incubator to Skin-to Skin In a Safe Way

Developmental Observer ◽

10.14434/do.v12i1.27838 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 8

Author(s):

J. Hoeeg

Keyword(s):

Full Term ◽

Term Infants ◽

Premature Babies ◽

Skin To Skin

For premature and full term infants who need help from a venti-lator for breathing, it can be diﬃcult to hold the infant skin-to-skin and often depends on the nurses who are present at the time. Lying skin-to-skin is a way to treat premature babies.

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Awareness and Experience of Kangaroo Mother Care for full term newborns: An interventional study at a rural maternity hospital in south Karnataka

Indian Journal of Community Health ◽

10.47203/ijch.2020.v32i03.010 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (3) ◽

pp. 518-526

Author(s):

Avita Rose Johnson ◽

Cicy Varghese ◽

Andrea Daniella Johnson ◽

Maria Vimala ◽

Rose Mary J Vadassary ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Maternity Hospital ◽

Kangaroo Mother Care ◽

Full Term ◽

Bivariate Analysis ◽

Interventional Study ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Skin Contact ◽

Low Birth Weight Babies ◽

Term Newborns ◽

Skin To Skin

Background: Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is early, continuous and prolonged skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby, with exclusive breastfeeding. Besides preterm and low birth weight babies, even full-term healthy newborns benefit from KMC. Objective: to assess awareness and experience of KMC for full-term newborns among newly delivered mothers in a rural maternity hospital. Methods: Interventional study with interview schedule to capture awareness of KMC (25 scored items). After one hour of practicing KMC, post-intervention assessment of KMC experience (23 scored items) was done. Bivariate analysis performed to associate awareness and experience of KMC with socio-demographic and obstetric variables. Results: The 100 mothers in our study had low median KMC awareness score of 4(IQR=2,8) and were unaware of benefits of KMC. Median KMC experience score was 21(IQR=19,22), indicating highly positive experience. Mothers reported feeling happy or relaxed, found it easier to breastfeed, easy to practice KMC, and wanted to continue KMC at home. Mothers with caesarean section were more likely to experience abdominal or back pain during KMC (P=0.037) and mothers with previous abortion/stillbirth were more likely to have fear of suffocating the baby during KMC (P=0.005). Conclusion: Though awareness of KMC was found to be low, overall experience of KMC was very positive. Mothers should be educated about benefits of KMC and given an opportunity to practice KMC in hospital. Full-term healthy newborns and their mothers should not be denied the numerous advantages of KMC. There is need to create KMC-friendly hospital culture and promote KMC for all newborns.

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