This week in Ireland it is National Breastfeeding Week. The HSE have linked this year’s week with the theme: “Hold me close: The power of skin-to-skin contact”.
In honour of this we have focused on the benefits of skin-to-skin contact (also referred to as ‘kangaroo care’) in this blog, reviewing scientific evidence and breaking it down into digestible info.
Supports breastfeeding
Engaging in skin-to-skin contact, especially within the first hours after birth, has shown to be supportive of breastfeeding. Studies report increased breastfeeding rates, especially within 1-4 months. They also suggest it has a protective impact on exclusive breastfeeding. Further, research shows that skin-to-skin contact can improve breastfeeding effectiveness and it can encourage a successful first feed.
Helps to regulate physiological stress and anxiety in mother and baby
Studies report decreased cortisol (the stress hormone) in mothers, fathers and babies after engaging in skin-to-skin contact. Some studies also show an increase in oxytocin (the love / bonding hormone) levels within mothers after doing skin-to-skin. Other research groups collected qualitative data from mothers. They reported that immediate skin-to-skin after birth helped them feel close to their newborns and encouraged bonding.
Regulates baby’s blood sugar
A systematic review and meta-analysis reports a significant reduction in rates of neonatal hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) when skin-to-skin contact was carried out. They combined results from 7 randomised control trials (RCTs) / quasi RCTs, including a total of 922 infants.
Helps regulate baby’s temperature
The act of holding your baby on your skin can still be a helpful tool in regulating their temperature. A stand-alone study found skin-to-skin was significantly effective at maintaining babies’ temperatures. The same systematic review and meta-analysis mentioned above reported a significant reduction in the incidence of hypothermia when skin-to-skin contact occurred. However, they also noted that the data was potentially unreliable with a lot of bias and differences between studies. A cochrane review found no statistically significant difference in baby temperature when skin-to-skin was compared with standard care.
Helps regulate baby’s blood oxygen levels
The systematic review referred to previously also found a significant increase in infant oxygen saturation when they received skin-to-skin care. The same was observed in a study based in Egypt, babies who received skin-to-skin contact had higher oxygen levels when compared to those who received routine care.
References
Durmaz, A., Sezici, E., & Akkaya, D. D. (2023). The effect of kangaroo mother care or skin-to-skin contact on infant vital signs: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Midwifery, 125, 103771. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2023.103771
Farouk Abolwafa, N., Boshra Shehata, H., & Mohammed Ali, H. (2022). Effect of Skin-to-Skin Contact between Mothers and Newborns at Birth on Temperature, Oxygen Saturation, and Initiation of Breast Feeding. Egyptian Journal of Health Care, 13(2), 1831-1842. https://doi.org/10.21608/ejhc.2022.264766
Huang, J. Z., Chen, C. N., Lee, C. P., Kao, C. H., Hsu, H. C., & Chou, A. K. (2022). Evaluation of the Effects of Skin-to-Skin Contact on Newborn Sucking, and Breastfeeding Abilities: A Quasi-Experimental Study Design. Nutrients, 14(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14091846
Ionio, C., Ciuffo, G., & Landoni, M. (2021). Parent-Infant Skin-to-Skin Contact and Stress Regulation: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 18(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18094695
Lord, L. G., Harding, J. E., Crowther, C. A., & Lin, L. (2023). Skin-to-skin contact for the prevention of neonatal hypoglycaemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 23(1), 744. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-023-06057-8
Moore, E. R., Bergman, N., Anderson, G. C., & Medley, N. (2016). Early skin‐to‐skin contact for mothers and their healthy newborn infants. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews(11). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003519.pub4
Prian-Gaudiano, A., Horta-Carpinteyro, D., & Sarmiento-Aguilar, A. (2024). Relationship between skin-to-skin contact during the first hour of life and duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Bol Med Hosp Infant Mex, 81(1), 10-15. https://doi.org/10.24875/bmhim.23000160
Stevens, J., Schmied, V., Burns, E., & Dahlen, H. (2014). Immediate or early skin-to-skin contact after a Caesarean section: a review of the literature. Matern Child Nutr, 10(4), 456-473. https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.12128
