The effects of post-birth mother-infant skin to skin contact on first breastfeeding

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the effects of immediate and continues skin-to-skin contact in first two hours post-birth on breastfeeding initiation and the infant success in first breastfeeding. METHODS: 92 pairs of primi-gravid women and their neonates were randomly divided into two groups, in Om-ol-banin hospital of Mashhad in 2007. In "routine care" group, after performing neonatal primary care and repairing mother's perineum, mother and infant were connected and breastfeeding was started. In "intervention" group, mother-infant skin to skin contact performed in the first two hours post-birth and feeding was started as soon as the infant’s pre-feeding behaviors were appeared. The duration of feeding was calculated based on infant tendency to feed. Infant Breast Feeding Assessment Tool (IBFAT) was used to measure infant success in breastfeeding. RESULTS: The rate of infants initiated breastfeeding in the first 30 minutes post birth was 89.4% in intervention and 2.2% in control group (p = 0.000). Duration from birth to first breastfeeding was lower (p < 0.001) and the rate of success and duration of first feeding was significantly higher in intervention group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Early and continues skin-to-skin contact in the first two hours post-birth eases the first experience of successful breastfeeding that can promote breastfeeding success in the future. So, immediate and continues skin to skin contact between mother and infant and continuing it during repair of mother’s episiotomy, is recommended. If it is possible, usual cares of infant should be done after establishing the first successful breastfeeding.