Can this practice enhance social skills?

Have you heard of skin-to-skin contact? Also referred to as kangaroo care, the practice has numerous benefits for both newborns and parents.

Kangaroo care involves placing a baby directly on a parent’s bare chest, fostering bonding, aiding in body temperature regulation, stabilizing heart and respiratory rates, supporting the initial microbiome and enhancing sleep. While these advantages are significant for all babies, they are particularly crucial for those born prematurely.

Now, research is shedding light on the long-term benefits of skin-to-skin contact in premature babies immediately after birth. The “Journal of the American Medical Association” study focused on infants born prematurely between 28 and 33 weeks gestation. During the first six hours after birth, these infants either received “standard” care in an incubator or experienced skin-to-skin contact.

In a subsequent four month follow-up, researchers assessed mother-infant interaction as they played with toys, utilizing the Parent-Child Early Relationship Assessment. This evaluation rates parent-child interaction on a scale of 1 to 5, considering factors such as the child’s experience of the parent, the parent’s experience of the child, affective and behavioral characteristics, and the overall quality or tone of the relationship, as outlined by the American Psychological Association.

The results revealed that infants who experienced skin-to-skin contact demonstrated a higher quality of interaction compared to the standard care group.

“This study provides compelling evidence that the initial hours after a preterm birth represent a sensitive period when close parent-infant contact can profoundly impact development,” says Dr. Preetha Prazad, a neonatologist at Advocate Children’s Hospital. “Infants who experienced immediate skin-to-skin contact with either parent after birth exhibited enhanced social skills and a more positive affect during interactions with their mother four months later.”

Dr. Preetha says these findings underscore the developmental significance of early parent-infant togetherness, even for infants born prematurely. “This practice should be considered a crucial component of developmental care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).”

Are you trying to find a pediatrician? Find one in Illinois or Wisconsin.