The studies conducted indicated that immediate mother to newborn skin-to-skin contact (SSC) increased chances of maternal breastfeeding the newborns' confidence. The studies also analyzed early skin to skin contact evoked neuro-behaviors which ensured that the mother and newborn achieved their biological needs. Zwedberg, Blomquist, and Sigerstad (2015) emphasized that skin to skin interaction between newborn and mother is essential, a view shared across all the analyzed research articles.
Theme I: Skin to Skin Contact stimulates attachment behavior
All the researches emphasized the importance of direct skin-to-skin connection between newborn and mother soon after birth. Production of oxytocin is critical for bonding in the early period. The researches founded that the contact helped the child and mother to experience the initial facial recognition that helps in strengthening the bond between the newborn and mother (Phillips, 2013). All the researchers were carried out immediately after delivery with a variance of thirty minutes. However, the researchers were non-specific on the exact attachment behavior promoted besides the close intimate bond between mother and child later in life.
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Theme II: Reduction in Harmful Separation
The researchers pointed out those newborns tend to cry a lot when they are not comfortable. Mori et al. (2010) observe that despair crying is not healthy for newborns since it negatively affects the production of stress hormones. Zwedberg, Blomquist, and Sigerstad, (2015) add that a midwife or a nurse should be close within to ensure that the mother makes the baby comfortable. All the researchers share the need for comfort. However, not all the researchers point to the need of the midwife to ensure the comfort of the baby. The same sentiment is shared by Phillips (2013), who maintains that the mother should stay alert to the well-being of the child to prevent any feeling of discomfort. The researchers pointed out that any separation of the mother and the child that may lead to discomfort should be minimized. However, not all of them emphasized the separation aspect but pointed on the need for breastfeeding that will enable the baby to feel closer to the mother.
Theme III: Psychological Needs of the Newborn and Mother
The need to bond and cuddle is shared across all the studies. The researchers conclude that SSC contact significantly enhances the psychological needs of baby and mother. Mori (2010) and Widström et al., (2019) emphasize that psychological fulfillment is a basic need for the child and baby, a view shared by Crenshaw (2014), Phillips (2013), and Brazelton (2018). Brazelton (2018) and Fischer (2019) further argue that due to the psychological fulfillment, mother and baby often start on a long journey of close intimacy. Zwedberg, Blomquist, and Sigerstad (2015) point out that midwives should help mothers and babies to experience psychological attachment. Despite the difference in how the studies are carried out, they share a lot of similarities in pointing out the need for attaining psychological attachment.
Gaps in the Research
The researchers indicate that skin-to-skin contact after birth is critical, especially in enhancing neonatal maternal bonding. However, most of the research did not identify the vital role played by primary caregivers in the developments leading to SSC contact. At the same time, only a few of the researchers, such as Crenshaw (2014), Aghdas, Talat, and Widström et al., (2019), Sepideh (2014), and Phillips (2010), among others, address breastfeeding in connection with SSC contact. Thus, some researchers miss out on the role of SSC in breastfeeding. For example, clinical trials need to put more significant consideration on the mother's prenatal breastfeeding intention. Enhancement is also required in analyzing maternal attachment behaviors. At the same time, the study should have considered the use and application of rigorously validated tools.
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Study
The study highlights the need for immediate SSC between the newborn and the mother. With great highlights on the emotional and psychological attachment that results due to SSC, the study is relevant in promoting best practices for achieving primary healthcare in health facilities. The only weakness in the study is the lack of integration between the findings and the connection between the mother and the baby in later life as a result of the immediate SSC after birth.
From the study, skin-to-skin interaction after birth between the mother and her child enhances post neonatal maternal bonding as compared to mothers who wait for at least thirty minutes to initiate SSC. Delayed hormonal release within the waiting period hinders the appropriate emotional connection between newborn and mother.
References
Aghdas, K., Talat, K., & Sepideh, B. (2014). Effect of immediate and continuous mother–infant skin-to-skin contact on breastfeeding self-efficacy of primiparous women: A randomised control trial. Women and birth , 27 (1), 37-40. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sepideh_Bagheri/publication/258443971_Effect_of_immediate_and_continuous_mother-infant_skin-to-skin_contact_on_breastfeeding_self-efficacy_of_primiparous_women_A_randomised_control_trial/links/5a0a9e7ca6fdcc2736dec128/Effect-of-immediate-and-continuous-mother-infant-skin-to-skin-contact-on-breastfeeding-self-efficacy-of-primiparous-women-A-randomised-control-trial.pdf
Brazelton, T. B. (2018). The earliest relationship: Parents, infants and the drama of early attachment . Routledge.
Crenshaw, J. T. (2014). Healthy birth practice# 6: Keep mother and baby together—It’s best for mother, baby, and breastfeeding. The Journal of perinatal education , 23 (4), 211-217.
Essa, R. M., & Ismail, N. I. A. A. (2015). Effect of early maternal/newborn skin-to-skin contact after birth on the duration of third stage of labor and initiation of breastfeeding. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice , 5 (4), 98-107.
Fischer, K. (2019). Literature Analysis Comparing Mother-Newborn Skin-to-Skin Contact Following Cesarean Section and Vaginal Births (Doctoral dissertation). https://our.oakland.edu/bitstream/handle/10323/6726/Thesis%20Draft%20Two.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
Moore, E. R., Bergman, N., Anderson, G. C., & Medley, N. (2016). Early skin ‐ to ‐ skin contact for mothers and their healthy newborn infants. Cochrane database of systematic Reviews , (11). https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD003519.pub4/media/CDSR/CD003519/CD003519.pdf
Mori, R., Khanna, R., Pledge, D., & Nakayama, T. (2010). Meta ‐ analysis of physiological effects of skin ‐ to ‐ skin contact for newborns and mothers. Pediatrics International , 52 (2), 161-170.
Phillips, R. (2013). The sacred hour: Uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth. Newborn and Infant Nursing Reviews , 13 (2), 67-72.
Widström, A. M., Brimdyr, K., Svensson, K., Cadwell, K., & Nissen, E. (2019). Skin ‐ to ‐ skin contact the first hour after birth, underlying implications and clinical practice. Acta Paediatrica . https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/apa.14754
Zwedberg, S., Blomquist, J., & Sigerstad, E. (2015). Midwives ׳ experiences with mother–infant skin-to-skin contact after a caesarean section:‘Fighting an uphill battle’. Midwifery , 31 (1), 215-220.
