Prevalence of early skin-to-skin contact and its impact on exclusive breastfeeding during the maternity hospitalization

BACKGROUND: Early essential newborn care has been implemented in countries regardless high or low neonatal mortality. This study aims to investigate the current practice of skin-to-skin contact (SSC) and its effect on exclusive breastfeeding during the hospital stay. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of 1812 Vietnamese mothers in multicenter. A questionnaire answered by the mothers was used to assess the duration of both SSC and breastfeeding practices. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify a dose–response relationship between early SSC and prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in hospital. RESULTS: There were 88.7% of mothers experiencing SSC with their infants right after birth and the highest prevalence of SSC was found in district hospitals. Among those experiencing SSC, 18.8% of the infants received more than 90 min of SSC and completed the first breastfeeding during SSC time. Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding during maternity hospital stay was 46.7%. We found a significant dose–response relation between the duration of SSC and exclusive breastfeeding in hospital. Compared with infants without SSC, the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was higher in infants who experienced SSC for 15–90 min (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 95% confidence interval [95%-CI]: 2.62 [1.61–4.27]) and more than 90 min (aOR [95%-CI]: 5.98 [3.48–10.28]). Completed first breastfeeding during SSC time (aOR [95%-CI]: 4.24 [3.28–5.47]) and being born in district hospitals (aOR [95%-CI]: 2.35 [1.79–3.09]) were associated with increased prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding during hospital stay. On the other hand, mother education level as high school/intermediate (aOR [95%-CI]: 0.58 [0.42–0.82]) and place of residence classified as rural decreased odds of exclusive breastfeeding in hospital (aOR [95%-CI]: 0.78 [0.61–0.99]). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate a strong dose–response relationship between duration of SSC and exclusive breastfeeding in hospital. Interventions that support exclusive breastfeeding during hospital stay, especially achieving prolonged uninterrupted SSC, could improve the duration of breastfeeding.