Providing Education About Skin-To-Skin Contact Significantly Increased Duration of Skin-To-Skin Contact for Newborns.

Abstract

Aim: Skin-to-skin contact postpartum has many well-documented benefits, but there is a lack of evidence on effective strategies to enhance the practices and on the duration of skin-to-skin contact beyond the first hour postpartum. This study aimed to determine if an educational breastfeeding programme for healthcare professionals and parents could increase skin-to-skin contact duration in newborns.

Methods: A quasi-experimental design with baseline and intervention measurements was used in two clinics. Newborns between 37 + 0 and 42 + 0 weeks gestation were included. The intervention involved targeted training for healthcare professionals and an educational package on breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact for parents.

Results: 211 parents recorded a diary and skin-to-skin contact duration with the mother on day one increased from 12.9 h in the baseline group to 14.6 h in the intervention group (p = 0.009). The proportion of newborns receiving nearly continuous skin-to-skin contact (> 20 h) increased from 33% to 58% (p = 0.001). Newborns who had more skin-to-skin contact on day one were held more frequently by parents at 2 months.

Conclusions: The intervention increased skin-to-skin contact duration and the proportion of newborns receiving nearly continuous skin-to-skin contact during the first 24 h. Enhancing skin-to-skin contact is essential and the programme could positively impact family health.