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Comment
. 2004 Dec;93(12):1560-2.

The biological significance of skin-to-skin contact and maternal odours

R H Porter  1
Affiliations
  • PMID: 15841761
Comment

The biological significance of skin-to-skin contact and maternal odours

R H Porter. Acta Paediatr. 2004 Dec.

Abstract

Infant-mother bodily contact is believed to be the species-typical pattern of immediate postpartum child care. Mothers and newborns engage in mutually beneficial interactions. Maternal odours stimulate breastfeeding activity and are implicated in individual recognition.

Conclusion: Skin-to-skin contact and exposure to maternal odours facilitate infants' adaptation to the early postnatal environment.

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