Enhanced Skin-to-Skin Contact with Newborns Driving Positive Outcomes Post-Training

Recent research indicates that targeted training programs for healthcare professionals and new parents significantly boost skin-to-skin contact between mothers, fathers, and their newborns during the critical first 48 hours of life. A study published in Acta Paediatrica from Uppsala University revealed that the proportion of infants receiving nearly 24 hours of skin contact within the first 24 hours increased from 33% to 58% after implementing the training intervention.

Skin-to-skin contact plays a vital role in helping newborns adjust to life outside the womb, managing circulation and nutrition more effectively. It also strengthens the bond between parent and child, promoting successful breastfeeding and emotional attachment, as explained by midwife and pediatric nurse Docent Eva-Lotta Funkquist. The initial hours after birth are particularly crucial, yet prior to this program, only about one-third of infants experienced more than 20 hours of skin contact during the first day.

The recent study involved 211 parents, split into baseline and post-training groups, who recorded their babies’ skin-to-skin contact duration over the first 48 hours. Results showed that after training, the average skin-to-skin time with mothers increased from 12.9 to 14.6 hours within the first 24 hours (p=0.009), and the share of infants with over 20 hours of contact rose from 33% to 58% (p=0.001). Additionally, children who had more frequent skin contact early on were carried by parents more often even after two months.

This research underscores the importance of structured education for healthcare staff and parents to promote optimal skin-to-skin contact, ultimately supporting better health and emotional well-being for both babies and families. Enhanced practices can facilitate secure attachment, ease the transition to independent life outside the womb, and foster healthier developmental trajectories.

For more details, see the study: Maria Wickström et al, Providing Education About Skin‐To‐Skin Contact Significantly Increased Duration of Skin‐To‐Skin Contact for Newborns, Acta Paediatrica, 2025. [DOI: 10.1111/apa.70219].

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-skin-contact-babies-significantly.html