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Background-Mother-infant separation postbirth is common in Western culture.Early skin-toskin contact (SSC) begins ideally at birth and involves placing the naked baby, head covered with a dry cap and a warm blanket across the back, prone on the mother's bare chest.According to mammalian neuroscience, the intimate contact inherent in this place (habitat) evokes neurobehaviors ensuring fulfillment of basic biological needs.This time may represent a psychophysiologically 'sensitive period' for programming future physiology and behavior.Objectives-To assess the effects of early SSC on breastfeeding, physiological adaptation, and behavior in healthy mother-newborn dyads.Search methods-We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (30 November 2011), made personal contact with trialists, and consulted the bibliography on kangaroo mother care (KMC) maintained by Dr. Susan Ludington.Selection criteria-Randomized controlled trials comparing early SSC with usual hospital care.Data collection and analysis-We independently assessed trial quality and extracted data.Study authors were contacted for additional information.
Anderson et al. (Mon,) studied this question.