This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.

Skin-to-skin contact increased exclusive breast-feeding likelihood

ORLANDO, Fla. — The likelihood of exclusive breast-feeding is increased with skin-to-skin contact between the mother and infant in the delivery room, according to recent study findings presented here.

“Breast-feeding is one of the easiest things we can do for babies to make sure they’re growing up healthy,” Darshna Bhatt, DO, MHA, of Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York, said in a press release. “While skin-to-skin contact is associated positively with exclusive breast-feeding, the statistically significant factor is intention.”

The study included electronic health records of 150 newborns admitted to the well baby nursery. All newborns were healthy, singleton, late preterm or term births.

Researchers found that the incidence of skin-to-skin contact was 53%. Seventy-two percent of the mothers intended to exclusively breast-feed, but only 28% did. Intention to breast-feed and skin-to-skin contact were significantly associated with exclusive breast-feeding (both P<.001). After correcting for gestational age and delivery mode, exclusive breast-feeding was significantly associated with skin-to-skin contact (OR=3.7; 95% CI, 1.22-11.38).

“Of all factors, only intention to breast-feed exclusively and skin-to-skin contact are related to exclusive breast-feeding,” the researchers wrote. “Mothers are not meeting their intention to exclusively breast-feed. Attention to skin-to-skin contact in the delivery room may improve exclusive breast-feeding rates.”

For more information:

Bhatt D. Abstract #20602. Presented at: AAP National Conference and Exhibition; Oct. 26-29, 2013; Orlando, Fla.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.