Perspectives in psychiatric care | 2021
Effects of mother-infant skin-to-skin contact on postpartum depression: A systematic review.
Abstract
PURPOSE\nThe aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effects of the skin-to-skin contact (SSC) method on postpartum depression.\n\n\nDESIGN AND METHODS\nA systematic review of the literature was performed.\n\n\nFINDINGS\nThis review was completed with three studies meeting the research criteria. Two studies were randomized controlled studies and one study had a quasi-experimental design.\n\n\nPRACTICE IMPLICATIONS\nSSC is such a low-cost intervention that it would be accessible, simple, and feasible for most mothers in the first postpartum weeks. By reducing mothers depressive symptoms and physiological stress, SSC facilitates mothers wellbeing and ultimately affects infants development by enhancing the mother/infant relationship.