Objective:

To identify barriers to the implementation of skin-to-skin contact (SSC) in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and summarize strategies to support its safe integration into routine neonatal care.

Approach:

Key Findings:

• Barriers to SSC implementation include clinical factors, organizational constraints, and emotional challenges.
• Concerns about safety do not support withholding SSC when proper monitoring and preparation are in place.
• Interventions such as multidisciplinary training and standardized protocols can enhance SSC rates and parental engagement.

Interpretation:

Addressing multilevel barriers is essential for the implementation of SSC in neonatal care settings.

Limitations:

• The review is non-systematic and may not encompass all relevant literature.
• The focus on implementation strategies may overlook some physiological benefits of SSC.

Conclusion:

The review emphasizes the importance of prioritizing SSC as a core clinical practice in NICUs.

Attribution Notice

This content is an AI-generated, fully rewritten summary based on a published scholarly article. It does not reproduce the original text and is not a substitute for the original publication. Readers are encouraged to consult the source for full context, data, and methodology.