Skin-to-skin contact, early initiation of breastfeeding and childbirth experience in first time mothers: a cross sectional study

Enormous amounts of evidence exist regarding the positive effects of skin-to-skin contact on infant outcomes and maternal bonding. However, the effect of skin-to–skin contact and early initiation of breastfeeding on women's childbirth experience is not well reported. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 800 primiparous mothers who had a vaginal childbirth in public or private hospitals in Tabriz, Iran. The study aimed to assess the relationship between skin-to-skin contact and initiation of breastfeeding within 1 h of childbirth. Based on the multivariable logistic regression test and controlling the effect of potential confounders, skin-to-skin contact [OR (95%CI): 1.53 (1.00–2.34); P = 0.046] and lactation in the first hour after childbirth [OR (95%CI): 1.46 (1.07–1.99); P = 0.014] were associated with a positive childbirth experience. It has been suggested that birth attendants pay attention to skin-to-skin contact of the mother and infant immediately after childbirth.