Skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding in the first hour of life during COVID-19

Abstract

Objective: to determine the prevalence and analyze the factors associated with early skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding in the first hour of life in times of COVID-19. Method: cross-sectional study carried out in a municipal hospital in the coast of Rio de Janeiro, using data from medical records. The Chi-Square Test and Logistic Regression were used. Research ptotocol approved by the Ethic Committee. Results: among 187 medical records, the prevalence rates of skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding in the first hour were, respectively, 36.7% and 63.2%. Postpartum women with one or two children and female newborns had more chances of the baby not being placed at the breast. Breastfeeding in the first hour was approximately 4.5 times greater among newborns placed in skin-to-skin contact. Conclusion: the prevalence of the analyzed practices was not satisfactory. Number of previous children and the baby's sex remained associated with skin-to-skin contact. The practices analyzed were associated with each other.