The Impact of Immediate Skin‐to‐Skin Contact Between Mother and Full‐Term Newborn on Infant Growth and Development at Two Months of Age

Background and Objective Skin‐to‐skin contact is an effective practice for enhancing clinical and psychological outcomes during the postpartum period. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of skin‐to‐skin contact on the growth and development of full‐term newborns up to 2 months of age. Methods A total of 72 pregnant mothers who met the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated into two groups using block randomization. The intervention group received immediate skin‐to‐ skin contact after birth, while the control group received standard postpartum care. Growth and developmental milestones of the infants were assessed at 2 months using an infant growth assessment form, and the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ). Results At 2 months, the average increase in head circumference was significantly higher in the skin‐to‐skin contact group (4.6 ± 1.1 cm) compared to the standard care group (4.0 ± 0.9 cm; p < 0.05). Weight gain averaged 2.7 ± 0.3 kg in the skin‐to‐skin group versus 2.2 ± 0.5 kg in the control group ( p > 0.05). Length gain was 8.0 ± 1.7 cm in the skin‐to‐skin group and 8.2 ± 2.1 cm in the standard care group ( p > 0.05). Developmentally, 97.2% of infants in the skin‐to‐skin group exhibited normal developmental status, compared to 69.4% in the standard care group ( p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in individual developmental domains between the groups. Conclusion Skin‐to‐skin contact after birth positively influences head circumference growth and supports overall developmental status in infants at 2 months of age.