Effect of early skin to skin contact between mother and her neonate on initiation of breast feeding and neonate physiological parameters

Abstract

The evidence supporting the practice of skin-to-skin contact after birth is robust, indicating multiple benefits for both mother and baby. However, separation of mothers and infants seems to be common practice in many hospitals. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of early Skin to skin contact immediately after birth between mother and her neonate on initiation of breast feeding and neonate physiological parameters. A quasi-experimental research design was utilized for this study. A purposeful sample of 70 mothers and their neonates who met the inclusion criteria and admitted to the delivery room in Minia General Hospital. They divided randomly into two groups (study and control). One tool was used to collect the required data. A structured interview questionnaire sheet included three parts: 1)-Neonates data, 2)-Personal and obstetric data of mothers and 3)-Neonate vital signs, time of initiating breast feeding and duration of the first breast fed. Results of the present study shows that, decreasing mean time to initiate breast feeding and increasing mean duration of the first breast fed of the study group than the control group with statistically significant differences (P=