Early skin-to-skin contact and early breastfeeding are two closely linked interventions that should be carried out immediately after birth.
Immediate and prolonged skin-to-skin contact facilitates lactation, enriches the microbiome of newborns, prevents hypothermia and hypoglycemia, and stabilizes respiratory function.
Early suckling at the breast stimulates lactogenesis II (activation of milk secretion) and transfers colostrum, rich in immunoactive substances, especially important for those born prematurely.
Skin-to-skin contact should be facilitated immediately after birth, provided that the clinical stability of the pair allows it.
A recent review revealed a 33% increase in infant mortality if the initiation of breastfeeding is delayed by one hour and a 100% increase if breastfeeding is initiated later than 24 hours after birth.
Early skin to skin contact inmediatly after birth is the Step 4 of The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative.
To carry out skin-to-skin contact for prolonged periods, it is necessary to have Neonatal Hospitalization Units with unrestricted entry for caregivers, with no schedules, and no other barriers to access to where their baby is located.
