Effect of Very Early Skin to Skin Contact on Success at Breastfeeding and Preventing Early Hypothermia in Neonates.
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Date
2014-01
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Abstract
Context: Birth and immediate postpartum period pose many challenges for the newborn. The neonatal mortality rates
are high in India, whereas the breastfeeding rates are still low. Hence, need exists for a simple and easily applicable
intervention, which may counter these challenges. Aims: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects
of very early skin-to-skin contact (SSC), in term babies with their mothers, on success of breastfeeding and neonatal
well-being. Settings and Design: Randomized control trial conducted over 2 years’ period in a tertiary care hospital.
Materials and Methods: Healthy babies delivered normally were included. Very early SSC between mothers and
their newborns was initiated in the study group. We studied effective suckling (using modifi ed infant breastfeeding
assessment tool [IBFAT]), breastfeeding status at 6 weeks, maternal satisfaction, thermal regulation, baby’s weight
and morbidity. Statistical Analysis: T-test, Pearson Chi-square test and non-parametric Mann-Whitney test were
used through relevant Windows SPSS software version 16.0. Results: We observed that SSC contributed to better
suckling competence as measured by IBFAT score (P < 0.0001). More babies in the SSC group were exclusively
breastfed at fi rst follow-up visit (P = 0.002) and at 6 weeks (P < 0.0001). SSC led to higher maternal satisfaction
rates, better temperature gain in immediate post-partum period, lesser weight loss was at discharge and at fi rst
follow-up (all P < 0.0001) and lesser morbidity than the study group (P = 0.006). Conclusion: Very early SSC is
an effective intervention that improves baby’s suckling competence, maternal satisfaction, breastfeeding rates and
temperature control and weight patterns.
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Keywords
Breastfeeding, Maternal satisfaction, Skin-to-skin contact, Temperature regulation
Citation
Srivastava Smita, Gupta Amit, Bhatnagar Anjoo, Dutta Sanjeev. Effect of Very Early Skin to Skin Contact on Success at Breastfeeding and Preventing Early Hypothermia in Neonates. Indian Journal of Public Health. 2014 Jan-Mar; 58(1): 22-26.