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Updated: Jan 10, 2026

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Parents of Premature Infants Value Early Skin-to-Skin Care: A 10-Year Survey in France

Odile Dicky1,2, Pierre Kuhn3,4,5, Jacques Sizun1

  • 1Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University Hospital, Toulouse, France.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|November 26, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Early skin-to-skin contact (SSC) is highly valued by parents of very preterm infants. Starting SSC within the first three days after birth leads to a more positive experience and perceived optimal timing compared to later initiation.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal care
  • Developmental pediatrics
  • Parent-infant bonding

Background:

  • Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) is crucial for infant- and family-centered developmental care.
  • Early initiation of SSC after birth is recommended for optimal infant outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effects of early SSC (within 3 days) versus late SSC (from Day 4) in very preterm infants.
  • To explore parents' subjective experiences with early versus late SSC.

Main Methods:

  • An online parental survey was conducted over 10 years (2014-2024).
  • Data included responses from parents of infants born before 32 weeks' gestation.
  • 2212 responses were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • 98% of parents initiating early SSC felt it was timely; 30% of late SSC starters felt it was too late.
  • Early SSC practice was associated with a more comfortable hospital stay (aOR 1.64).
  • Positive SSC experiences were linked to nursing support, privacy, and comfort.

Conclusions:

  • Early skin-to-skin contact is highly beneficial and valued by parents of very preterm infants.
  • Timely initiation of SSC significantly enhances parental satisfaction and comfort.
Abstract

Keywords:
Kangaroo careexperienceneonatal intensive care unitparental involvementparentingpatient‐ and family‐centred carepremature infantskin‐to‐skin care

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