A comparative study of maternal-neonate abdominal and kangaroo (skin-to-skin) skin contact immediately after birth on maternal attachment behaviors up to 2 months

Early skin‑to‑skin maternal–neonate contact during the 1st h following birth prepares both mother and baby to establish a two‑way, interactive pattern of interaction. There are few studies on the use of kangaroo care method in term infants and maternal postpartum behavior.

The present study aimed to compare abdominal and kangaroo skin contact on maternal attachment behaviors. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This single‑blind randomized clinical trial was performed on 68 eligible pregnant women in Torbat Heydariyeh in 2015.

Individuals were randomly divided into experimental groups (kangaroo skin contact) and control group (abdominal skin contact). Maternal attachment behaviors were observed for 15 min during 1 h postpartum. Each minute was divided into two 30 s, during the first and second 30 s of which the maternal behavior was observed and recorded using a checklist of behavior. Attachment behaviors were assessed using an attachment behavior checklist (including three types of emotional, proximity‑seeking, and caring behaviors). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: After data coding, the analysis was performed using Kruskal–Wallis test, Chi‑square test, t‑test, and Mann–Whitney test in SPSS ver. 14. P < 0.05 was considered the significant level.

Among emotional, proximity‑seeking, and caring behaviors 1 h and 2 months’ postpartum in the two groups, only proximity‑seeking behaviors were significantly different 2 months’ postpartum (P = 0.033). The attachment behavior of 1 h (0.134) and 2 months’ postpartum (0.051) did not differ significantly between the two groups.

Kangaroo skin contact has an effect, similar to the abdominal skin contact, on the maternal attachment behaviors and has a positive effect on proximity‑seeking behaviors and some components of emotional behaviors compared to abdominal skin contact.