A STUDY TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SKIN-TO-SKIN CONTACT ON POSTPARTUM BONDING AND NEONATAL OUTCOMES AMONG MOTHERS AT SELECTED HOSPITAL OF INDORE, MADHYA PRADESH

Abstract

The postpartum period is a critical transitional phase for both the mother and the newborn, characterized by significant physiological, psychological, and emotional changes. The establishment of a healthy mother–infant bond during this period is essential for the infant’s survival, growth, and long-term emotional and cognitive development. Postpartum bonding refers to the emotional connection that begins immediately after birth and strengthens through early interactions such as touch, eye contact, and breastfeeding. Disruptions in early bonding may negatively affect maternal mental health and infant developmental outcomes.

Skin-to-skin contact (SSC), also known as kangaroo mother care when practiced for prolonged durations, involves placing the naked newborn prone on the mother’s bare chest immediately after birth. This simple, low-cost intervention has been endorsed globally by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF as a standard of care for all newborns, irrespective of birth weight or gestational age, provided the neonate is clinically stable. SSC facilitates early sensory stimulation, warmth, and comfort for the newborn while simultaneously promoting maternal confidence and emotional attachment.