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. 2023 Aug;112(8):1633-1643.
doi: 10.1111/apa.16842. Epub 2023 May 24.

Skin-to-skin contact after birth: Developing a research and practice guideline

Kajsa Brimdyr  1 , Jeni Stevens  2 , Kristin Svensson  3   4 , Anna Blair  1 , Cindy Turner-Maffei  1 , Julie Grady  5 , Louise Bastarache  6 , Abla Al Alfy  7 , Jeannette T Crenshaw  8 , Elsa Regina Justo Giugliani  9 , Uwe Ewald  10 , Rukhsana Haider  11 , Wibke Jonas  12 , Mike Kagawa  13 , Siri Lilliesköld  4   14 , Ragnhild Maastrup  15 , Ravae Sinclair  16 , Emma Swift  17 , Yuki Takahashi  1 , Karin Cadwell  18
Affiliations

Skin-to-skin contact after birth: Developing a research and practice guideline

Kajsa Brimdyr et al. Acta Paediatr. 2023 Aug.

Abstract

Aim: Skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth is recognised as an evidence-based best practice and an acknowledged contributor to improved short- and long-term health outcomes including decreased infant mortality. However, the implementation and definition of skin-to-skin contact is inconsistent in both practice and research studies. This project utilised the World Health Organization guideline process to clarify best practice and improve the consistency of application.

Methods: The rigorous guideline development process combines a systematic review with acumen and judgement of experts with a wide range of credentials and experience.

Results: The developed guideline received a strong recommendation from the Expert Panel. The result concluded that there was a high level of confidence in the evidence and that the practice is not resource intensive. Research gaps were identified and areas for continued work were delineated.

Conclusion: The World Health Organization guideline development process reached the conclusion immediate, continuous, uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact should be the standard of care for all mothers and all babies (from 1000 g with experienced staff if assistance is needed), after all modes of birth. Delaying non-essential routine care in favour of uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact after birth has been shown to be safe and allows for the progression of newborns through their instinctive behaviours.

Keywords: best practice; breastfeeding; guideline development; implementation; skin-to-skin.

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Comment in

  • Skin-to-skin contact for all newborns.
    Whitelaw A. Whitelaw A. Acta Paediatr. 2023 Aug;112(8):1618-1619. doi: 10.1111/apa.16859. Epub 2023 Jun 5. Acta Paediatr. 2023. PMID: 37272315 No abstract available.

References

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