In the study it was discovered that the infants who experienced an hour of skin-to-skin contact with their mothers right after they were born were more likely to sleep more soundly and peacefully through the night. The infants were found to display less stressful body movements after spending several hours in the nursery.

Researchers claimed the most dangerous and stressful events that occur during the human life cycle take place from the womb to the real world, therefore mothers who made a point of giving their infants skin-to-skin contact would help their newborn adjust to their new unfamiliar surroundings.

This study assigned 47 healthy mother-infant pairs to two groups:

• In both groups, the infant laid on the mother’s chest for about five to 10 minutes, while the umbilical cord was cut.

• The kangaroo group was taken back to their mothers, where the mothers initiated skin-to-skin contact with their newborns 15 to 20 minutes after birth.

• The control group was taken to the nursery.

Conclusions based on the study include:

• The infants who were given kangaroo care slept longer, more peacefully and slept in positions that indicated less stress.

• After the contact ended, the effects of the skin-to-skin contact seemed to continue four hours later.

• Doctors and nursing staff should be informed of how important the benefits of kangaroo care were to a newborn right after birth.

• Experts have recommended further exploration into the use of kangaroo care and its potential positive health benefits to newborn’s temperament and attention-related skills early on in life.

Pediatrics April 2004;113(4):858-65