Immediate skin-to-skin with fathers can boost the hearts of babies born by C-section

This is helpful for all expectant parents to know!

New research finds that with C-section, if immediate skin-to-skin with the mother isn’t possible, a newborn baby can really benefit from having immediate skin-to-skin contact with the father (or partner).

The study by Ayala A. et al., (2021) found that when a mother isn’t available after surgery, babies born by C-section have a more stable heart rate if they lie on their father’s bare chest than if they are placed in a crib/cot, or held in the father’s arms.

The study:

The study took place in a Chilean public hospital between 2009–12.

• 95 newborns were randomly divided into 3 groups (cot, father’s arms or skin-to-skin on the father’s bare chest).
• The babies were assessed at 15‐minute intervals, from 45 to 120 minutes after the C-section.
• Physiological parameters were measured.
• Wakefulness was assessed using the Neonatal Behavioural Assessment Scale.

Results:

When held skin-to-skin on the father’s chest (compared to when a baby is placed in a cot or held in the father’s arms):

• Babies had…