Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) after childbirth is an essential practice that has been shown to have numerous benefits for both the mother and the newborn. The practice involves placing the newborn directly on the mother's bare chest, allowing them to be in close contact. SSC has been shown to provide numerous benefits for premature babies, including stabilizing their heart rate, improving breathing, and promoting bonding between mother and child.
Clinical Trial
A randomized controlled trial aimed to assess the potential beneficial effects of daily SSC on brain function and socio-emotional behavior of children born full-term. The trial involved 116 pregnant women randomly assigned to SSC or care-as-usual (CAU). Women in the SSC group were instructed to perform one hour of SSC daily from birth until postnatal week five.
Behavioral Development
The study found that children with daily SSC had fewer internalizing and externalizing problems than those in the CAU condition at age three. Internalizing problems refer to behaviors such as anxiety and depression while externalizing problems refer to behaviors such as aggression and hyperactivity. There were no group differences in brain function.
The study also explored whether children of mothers who experienced stress and anxiety during pregnancy benefitted more from SSC. The results showed no moderation by maternal prenatal stress.
Conclusion
This study suggests that daily SSC in full-term infants may foster children's behavioral development. The practice is safe, cost-effective, and has no adverse side effects. It is a simple yet effective way for parents to promote bonding and support their newborn's development. Future research is needed to explore SSC's long-term effects and determine the practice's optimal duration and frequency.
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