by Hale, Kennell, Klaus, Mata, Sosa & Urrutia "The effect of early skin-to-skin contact on maternal behavior at 12 hours".  They also printed a paper in 1977 with the results of this study they talked about.  "In recent years, a number of studies have focused attention upon the effects of early post-partum contact between mother and infant.  These studies suggest that there may be a unique period soon after delivery in the human mother when she is especially sensitive to her baby, an optimal period for the formation of strong affectional bonds that  can affect her future mothering behavior with this infant."  

So what does your hospital do today.....45 years later???  Do mothers and babies have close contact???  Do nurses/hospital policies  respect the first golden hour or is baby bundled up, carted off and all the newborn procedures done???  

Another fun item:  read that Ludington said they changed from name Kangaroo Care to Skin-to-Skin when the hospital was picketed by animal rights groups who thought they was abusing baby kangaroos!  Pat in SNJ,  Cleaning the STS files :-)

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