Longer skin-to-skin contact after birth enhances breastfeeding quality and duration: A cohort study

Abstract

Aim: Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) immediately after birth may improve breastfeeding outcomes. This study explored the effect of the duration of SSC in the delivery room on breastfeeding quality and duration. Methods: In this prospective observational cohort study, mother–infant pairs practising SSC were categorised into two groups based on SSC duration (≤45 or >45 min). Outcomes included breastfeeding quality in the delivery room and at 24 h of age assessed by the Infant-Breastfeeding Assessment Tool (IBFAT) score, and long-term breastfeeding duration up to 6 months while accounting for potential confounding variables. Results: The study included 72 mother–infant pairs. SSC for more than 45 min was significantly correlated with longer immediate breastfeeding (65 vs. 19 min, p < 0.001) and higher breastfeeding quality scores immediately after birth (IBFAT score of 10 vs. 7, p < 0.001). Regarding the long-term effect, infants in the extended SSC group were breastfed longer (5.2 vs. 3.7 months, p = 0.005) and had exclusive breastfeeding (4.7 vs. 2.7 months, p > 0.001). No significant confounding variables were identified. Conclusion: Extended SSC (>45 min) correlated with prolonged, higher-quality breastfeeding after birth and longer successful breastfeeding.