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

## TL;DR

A 10-year survey in France found that parents of very preterm infants strongly value early skin-to-skin contact, which improves their confidence and comfort during hospital stays.

## Contribution

This study is the first to systematically survey parental experiences of early versus late skin-to-skin contact in very preterm infants over a decade.

## Key findings

- 98% of parents who began skin-to-skin contact early felt the timing was appropriate.
- Parents who started skin-to-skin contact early were 1.64 times more likely to report a comfortable experience.
- Support from nursing staff, privacy, and a secure setting were key to positive skin-to-skin contact experiences.

## Abstract

Skin‐to‐skin contact (SSC) is a key aspect of infant‐ and family‐centred developmental care and should be initiated as early as possible after birth. This study aimed to assess the effects of early SSC, within the first 3 days of life, compared to late SSC, from Day 4 onwards, in very preterm infants. It also explored parents' experiences of SSC.

Data were collected over 10 years, from 2014 to 2024, via an online parental survey created by parent associations and the French National Neonatal Society. We analysed only responses from parents of infants born before 32 weeks' gestation.

A total of 2212 responses were analysed. Findings revealed that 98% of parents who began SSC early believed it occurred at the right time, while 30% of those who started later felt it was too late. Parents who practised early SSC were more likely to report comfortable SSC during the hospital stay, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.64 (95% confidence interval: 1.14–2.37). Key factors contributing to a positive SSC experience included support from nursing staff, a secure setting, privacy and a comfortable chair.

Early SSC was highly valued by parents of very preterm infants.

Skin‐to‐skin contact soon after birth is advised for preterm infants, but parents' views on it remain under‐researched.This 10‐year survey, from 2014 to 2024, found that 98% of parents who practised early SSC felt the timing was right and boosted parental confidence for SSC.These findings highlight the need for healthcare professionals to encourage early SSC to better meet parental expectations and infants' developmental needs.

Skin‐to‐skin contact soon after birth is advised for preterm infants, but parents' views on it remain under‐researched.

This 10‐year survey, from 2014 to 2024, found that 98% of parents who practised early SSC felt the timing was right and boosted parental confidence for SSC.

These findings highlight the need for healthcare professionals to encourage early SSC to better meet parental expectations and infants' developmental needs.