Effect of early skin-to-skin contact after delivery on duration of breastfeeding: a prospective cohort study.
OBJECTIVE
To study the influence on breastfeeding of skin-to-skin contact after birth.


METHODS
Using a prospective cohort study design, a group of 1250 Polish children was investigated with 3 y follow-up.


RESULTS
The implementation of the practice significantly increased mean duration of exclusive breastfeeding by 0.39 mo and overall breastfeeding duration by 1.43 mo. The infants kept with the mothers for at least 20 min were exclusively breastfed for 1.35 mo longer and weaned 2.10 mo later than those who had no skin-to-skin contact after delivery. The skin-to-skin contact after birth significantly coexisted with the other hospital practices supportive to breastfeeding, especially rooming-in without separation longer than 1 h per 24 h [relative risk (RR) = 3.18, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 2.34-4.31] and first breastfeeding within 2 h after birth (RR = 2.94, 95% CI: 2.36-3.67. Multivariate analysis performed by a general linear model with duration of exclusive breastfeeding as the dependent variable indicated skin-to-skin contact and mother education as two independent variables influencing the duration of exclusive breastfeeding.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that extensive mother-infant skin-to-skin contact lasting for longer than 20 min after birth increases the duration of exclusive breastfeeding.
Mikiel-Kostyra
K
K
National Research Institute of Mother and Child, Warsaw, Poland. breastfeed@imid.med.pl
Mazur
J
J
Bołtruszko
I
I
D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016014:Linear Models; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009769:Object Attachment; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors