Early Skin‐To‐Skin Contact Enhanced Feeding Behaviours and Stabilised Thermal Transition in Neonates Born by Caesarean

AIM: Early skin-to-skin contact (SSC) is recommended after vaginal birth, but its implementation and evidence for Caesarean delivery remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of early SSC on neonatal adaptation and feeding behaviours in infants born via Caesarean section. METHODS: A randomised controlled trial was conducted at the Peking University People's Hospital in China from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2023. We recruited 209 mother-infant dyads, assigning them to an intervention (early SSC) or control (routine care) group. Outcomes included timing of feeding-readiness behaviours, physiological metrics (e.g., body temperature), and breastfeeding frequency within 72 h. RESULTS: The cohort included 209 neonates (sex distribution: 52.7% male; mean gestational age: 34.15 ± 4.19 years old). The SSC group (n = 105) showed significantly shorter latencies to all feeding-readiness behaviours, maintained higher body temperatures postpartum, had a more favourable weight transition pattern, more frequent breastfeeding sessions, and a lower jaundice value on day 3 (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Early SSC after Caesarean delivery enhanced neonatal behavioural organization, physiological stability, and early feeding efficacy. Its integration into routine post-Caesarean care is recommended to improve infant outcomes.