Safety and feasibility of delivery room cuddles in infants with surgical defects: A quality improvement project

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47338/jns.v11.1056

Keywords:

Neonatal surgery, Delivery room cuddles, Quality improvement project, Congenital surgical defects

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.

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Author Biographies

Rebecca Evans, Health Education North West

Paediatric ST1 Trainee, Health Education North West

Thomas Hogan

Neonatal Grid Trainee, North West

Ranganna Ranganath, Manchester NHS Foundation Trust

Neonatal Consultant at St. Mary's Neonatal Unit, Manchester 

References

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Brystova K, Ivanova V, Edhborg M, Matthiesen AS, Ransjo-Arvidson AB, Mukhamedrakhimov R, et al. Early contact versus separation: Effects on mother-infant interaction one year later. Birth. 2009; 36:97-109

Feldman R, Eidelman AI. Maternal postpartum behaviour and the emergence of infant-mother and infant-father synchrony in preterm and full-term infants: The role of neonatal vagal tone. Dev Psychobiol. 2007; 49:290-302

Cong X, Ludington-Hoe SM, Walsh S. Randomised crossover trial of Kangaroo care to reduce biobehavioural pain responses in preterm infants: A pilot study. Biol Res Nurs. 2011; 13:204-16.

George Edward Waites, St. Mary's Hospital Charity. Manchester Foundation Trust Charity. [Online] July 2021. [Cited: August 24th, 2021.] Available from: https://mftcharity.org.uk/patient/george-edward-waites.

Published

2022-01-17

How to Cite

1.
Evans R, Hogan T, Ranganath R. Safety and feasibility of delivery room cuddles in infants with surgical defects: A quality improvement project. J Neonatal Surg [Internet]. 2022Jan.17 [cited 2023Sep.25];11:8. Available from: https://www.jneonatalsurg.com/ojs/index.php/jns/article/view/1056

Issue

Section

Quality Improvement Project