Abstract
Background: Delivery Room Cuddles (DRC) is a growing practice with recognized benefits for parent-infant bonding, breastfeeding rates, and infant stress responses. Methods: We introduced DRC at St. Mary’s NICU, Manchester, in October 2020. As part of a formal QI process, we have been continuously collecting data on all babies admitted to our NICU from the delivery suite to review rates of DRC and monitor for any beneficial effects / adverse events. From October 2020 to May 2021, we admitted 41 babies with known surgical defects; 56% of whom had a DRC, including intubated babies with congenital diaphragmatic hernias, and babies with open surgical defects. Results: There have been no adverse incidents directly related to DRC and more babies who had a DRC received breast milk than those who did not Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that DRC can be implemented safely in surgical babies.
Highlights
After initial stabilisation at birth, surgical babies are often taken straight to NICU without direct contact with parents
Our study demonstrates that Delivery Room Cuddles (DRC) can be implemented safely in surgical babies
In October 2020 we introduced a Quality Improvement Project (QIP) with the aim to facilitate delivery room cuddles (DRC) for all babies admitted to NICU from delivery
Summary
After initial stabilisation at birth, surgical babies are often taken straight to NICU without direct contact with parents. We know from experience that in the first few days to weeks of admission for surgical babies, cuddles or skin-to-skin contact (SSC) are difficult to facilitate, and it can be weeks before opportunities for cuddles arise. There are many proposed benefits of early SSC proven in healthy term babies. These include improved stress responses, improved attachment and bonding with parents,[2] and an increased likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding.[1]. Delivery Room Cuddles (DRC) is a growing practice with recognized benefits for parent-infant bonding, breastfeeding rates, and infant stress responses
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