Early skin-to-skin contact, current situation of the Metropolitan Hospital. Cross-sectional descriptive study during the period August 2022 to August 2023.

Abstract

Introduction: Early attachment is defined as skin-to-skin contact between the mother and her child immediately after birth and at least until the first breastfeed. On average, it has been estimated that mothers see their children three hours after birth, affecting the rate of breastfeeding in the immediate postpartum period. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out during the period August 2022 to August 2023, at the Metropolitan Hospital. The study population was all births during the period August 2022 to August 2023. Results: A total of 567 births were registered. Of the total number of newborns born by cesarean section, 83% had early attachment and 17% did not. Of the total number of newborns born by cephalovaginal birth, 90% had early attachment and 10% did not. Discussion: Early attachment is considered a beneficial practice to ensure the well-being of the mother-child pair. Despite the multiple advantages that have been described, at the national level early attachment and initiation of breastfeeding in the first hour of life is only 54.4%. The importance of this first contact guarantees the survival of the newborn, providing warmth, food, and protection, as well as strengthening the mother-child bond. Conclusions and recommendations: The continuity of contact between mother and child should be encouraged, proposing an exclusive room for this purpose. Reinforce the knowledge about attachment of all health personnel and assign an exclusive person to carry out the early attachment steps during the first hour of life.