This study covers the question; Does skin to skin contact immediately post-birth promote neonatal maternal bonding compared with women who wait at least 30 minutes to initiate skin to skin? It will use five sources within a ten-year range, which are acquired from thirty-four articles. The papers selected provide essential insights on immediate skin to skin contact between mother and newborn. ScienceDirect was primarily used as a comprehensive database. The key words include skin to skin contact, neonatal bond, newborn attachment.
Literature Review
Integration of Evidence
All the researches correspond that immediate skin to skin contact promotes neonatal maternal bonding. According to Phillips (2013), it facilitates the transition from fetal to newborn life, and the mothers have increased maternal behavior. Mori et al. (2010) state that skin contact promotes the respiratory and psychological responses of babies. Similarly, Crenshaw (2014) states that it is healthy and safe to initiate skin to skin contact immediately after birth. According to Moore et al. (2016), immediate skin to skin contact helps in promoting the psychological health of both the mother and newborn. Brazelton (2018) provides an assessment of infant attachment and the impact of immediate maternal bonding. Primarily, these researches indicate the importance of skin contact to maternal and fetal bonding.
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Theme I
Skin to skin contact predominantly promotes maternal attachment behaviors. According to Phillips (2013), hormones that significantly influence attachment behaviors are increased by the immediate skin contact between mother and child. For instance, oxytocin is released and increases maternal caregiving behaviors (Moore et al., 2016). Moreover, it helps in facial recognition from the child as compared to children who wait thirty minutes to have contact with their mothers.
Theme II
Skin to skin contact reduces the effects of harmful separation. Newborns tend to have frantic cries once they are separated from their mothers. Despair crying is not healthy for infants since it impairs lung functionality and increases the production of stress hormones (Mori et al., 2010). Besides, immediate skin contact calms down the child, thus reducing their initial crying.
Theme III
Skin to skin contact fulfills the psychologic needs of the mother and newborn. After birth, both the mother and child have the emotional need to bond and cuddle. When they experience skin contact, it significantly improves the baby’s and mother’s outcomes (Crenshaw, 2014). It is, therefore, imperative to ensure skin contact between a newborn and their mothers to fulfill their psychologic needs.
Critique of Evidence
The research indicates that skin to skin contact after birth is essential in promoting neonatal maternal bonding. Mainly the studies used offer reliable and valid analyses that have been tested continuously. Moreover, they use empirical data to form a conclusion. Mothers should, therefore, aim to have skin contact immediately. Oxytocin released aids in ensuring the development of attachment between the mother and the baby. Consequently, it is healthy and safe to keep mothers and the newborn. Philips (2014), however, stipulates that the results are similar from a mother that has skin contact with their child after one hour. The mother and child obtain comparable benefits as those acquired from immediate contact.
Gaps in Evidence
Differences arose during this research. More studies need to be conducted on the impact of delayed contact. Statistical data should be provided on the limitations of the study. Additionally, assessment of cesarean birth should also be accounted for during skin to skin contact. Moreover, most researches are based on data from mammals and then linked to human behaviors; thus, more studies should be carried out on human beings.
Conclusion
The research was imperative in understanding the need for skin to skin contact. Primarily, it reduces the adverse effects of separation. Moreover, it promotes maternal behaviors and fulfills psychologic needs. More research needs to be conducted on the impact of skin to skin contact on humans. Generally, the gaps in evidence should be assessed. Skin to skin contact significantly improves maternal bonding.
References
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.
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).
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.
