Positive impact of prolonged skin-to-skin contact on parental confidence and symptoms of depression among mothers and fathers of healthy newborns

Abstract

Aim:

WHO recommends skin-to-skin contact for the first 2 h after birth. The study investigated how parental and infant skin-to-skin contact for the first 3 days postpartum influenced parental confidence and postpartum depression tendencies.

Methods:

Separate self-administered questionnaires were completed after birth, at 3 and 9 months by mothers and fathers to newborns in the western part of Denmark. A total of 2142 mothers (83%) and 1582 fathers (72%) provided complete information on skin-to-skin contact. The Karitane Parenting Confidence Scale (KPCS) and Major Depression Inventory (MDI) were used to measure outcome. Data were analyzed in mixed regression models, adjusted for age, parity, and educational level.

Results:

During the first 72 h, fathers spent 10.40 h (confidence interval (CI), 8.71–12.09) and mothers spent 17.86 h (CI, 16.29–19.43) of skin-to-skin contact with their newborn on average. The time positively influenced the level of confidence for both parents, and symptoms of depression in mothers. The regression coefficient, expressing change in the confidence/KPCS level per hour of skin-to-skin contact was 0.05 (CI, 0.02–0.07) for mothers and 0.07 (CI, 0.04–0.10) for fathers. Correspondingly, the impact on depression/MDI level was −0.04 (CI, −0.07 to −0.01) for mothers but non-significant for fathers. Over time, mothers expressed a higher KPCS level than fathers (p < 0.0001) but only higher depression tendencies at 2 weeks postpartum (p-value <0.001).

Conclusions:

Fathers and mothers should be encouraged to extend the early practice of skin-to-skin contact with their newborn, as it positively influences parental confidence and maternal symptoms of depression.