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3.2 Skin-to-skin and the role of the Health Worker

The role of the birth attendants

This critical period in the relationship between mother/birthing parent and infant is, in some birthing units, a high-intervention time when it should be exactly the opposite. Recall that the AAP Neonatal Resuscitation Guidelines state that all observations can take place with the infant in skin-to-skin contact with their birth mother/parent. The role of the birth attendants at this time is to support the mother/parent to provide the ideal environment for her baby to adapt to extrauterine life, orientate to the breast, and coordinate suckling.

Appropriate support is given by discussing with the mother/birthing parent, and others present, the importance of uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact. Some birth attendants tell of the mother/birthing parent and their support people being enthralled as they watch the baby move through this sequential pre-feeding behavior, not wishing to interrupt it. A little education can go a long way!

Just the thing for busy staff!

Supporting the mother/birthing parent to care for their baby with skin-to-skin contact will significantly reduce the workload of the health care staff:

  • The infant will adapt to extrauterine life quicker, reducing the risk of hypothermia or cardio-respiratory instability.
  • Glucose homeostasis is achieved quickly, reducing the risk of hypoglycemia.
  • Breastfeeding will be initiated early and successfully, with minimal input from others.
  • Breastfeeding will stimulate the release of oxytocin, contracting the uterus and reducing the risk of hemorrhage.
  • Skin-to-skin care will colonize the infant with the birthing parent's normal flora, which, when combined with breastfeeding, significantly reduces the risk of nosocomial infections.
  • Maternal self-confidence and independence will rise.