Observation of Skin-to-Skin Contact and Analysis of Factors Linked to Failure to Breastfeed Within 2 Hours After Birth

Abstract

Abstract

Background:

Successful breastfeeding at birth seems to be associated with skin-to-skin contact between mother and newborn and newborn suckling, both within the first 2 hours of life. In practice, knowledge about the number and cause of interruptions of this contact has to be increased.

Objective:

To measure the actual time of skin-to-skin contact in the first 2 hours after birth, study the events that occur during this period, and search for factors linked to failure to breastfeed.

Materials and Methods:

Thirty women wishing to breastfeed gave their consent for us to observe and analyze the first 2 hours of the baby's life during skin-to-skin contact.

Results:

Mean total duration of skin-to-skin contact for the 30 newborns during the first 2 hours was 90.4 ± 25.0 minutes; 17 (56.7%) were interrupted at least twice during this time, mainly for neonatal care. The first interruption took place before the first breastfeed in 60% of cases. Mean time before the first breastfeed was 44.6 ± 21.1 minutes. Seven infants did not breastfeed in the first 2 hours (23.3%). The factors linked to this failure were nulliparity, lower umbilical arterial pH at birth, and early interruptions in skin-to-skin contact. Among them, only early interruptions of skin-to-skin contact appear to be modifiable.

Conclusion:

In the first 2 hours of life, early interruptions of skin-to-skin contact should be discouraged as they reduce the chances of early breastfeed.