Skin to Skin Contact for Protecting and Promoting Breastfeeding
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Abstract
Abstract
Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) was originally used with premature infants and full-term babies because it is safe and has positive effects on breastfeeding and infant feeding. It also helps create a good relationship between the baby, the mother, and father. SSC is an important part of parent and infant care during the neonatal period. SSC should be initiated immediately after birth and practiced as a standard of care in all settings, as well as in the home. There is strong evidence that SSC has a positive effect on breastfeeding and human milk feeding in both term and preterm infants. SSC is recommended as best practice for all infants. The benefits of SSC reduces mortality, cardiopulmonary stability, and thermoregulation. SSC reduces pain and infant stress, enhances parent infant bonding, and has positive effects on parental mental health. SSC occurs as a safe and positive experience for the parent, family, infant, and health care team.
This article aimed to provide information and technique for nurses and midwives to provide parents to SSC, enhances parent–infant bonding, and initial breastfeeding. This article presents the main issues as follows: meaning, the importance of SSC, the benefits of SSC, principles of caring for mothers and babies to receive SSC, SSC procedure, contraindications to SSC, factors affecting Kangaroo mother care, guidelines for promoting SSC during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum, and suggestions for skin-to-skin contact.
In summary, understanding SSC, and providing breastfeeding for mothers to continue breastfeeding and promote success breastfeeding.
Keywords: skin-to-skin contact; promoting and supporting breastfeeding; postpartum mothers
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