Can this practice enhance social skills?

You’re likely familiar with the numerous medical benefits associated with skin-to-skin contact for both newborns and parents, commonly known as kangaroo care. This practice 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, recent research is shedding light on the long-term benefits of skin-to-skin contact in premature babies immediately after birth. The study, published in the “Journal of the American Medical Association,” focused on infants born prematurely between 28-33 weeks. 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 4-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 1-5, 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. These findings underscore the developmental significance of early parent-infant togetherness, even for infants born prematurely, emphasizing that this practice should be considered a crucial component of developmental care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).”

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