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Effect of Skin-to-Skin Contact on Father-Infant Bonding: A Randomized Controlled Trial

NCT07159477 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 165

Last updated 2025-09-08

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This randomized, parallel-group clinical trial evaluates whether father-infant skin-to-skin contact improves bonding among healthy term newborns and their fathers in Türkiye. Fathers are randomly assigned to one of three arms that differ in the timing and frequency of skin-to-skin contact (early one-time contact, frequent contact, or standard care). Bonding is assessed with a validated paternal-infant bonding scale at prespecified postpartum time points. The study enrolls fathers of newborns delivered in university and state hospital obstetrics units.

Conditions

  • Newborn Basic Care Training
  • Newborn Infant
  • Attachment
  • Bonding

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Skin to Skin contact

Fathers are briefed on skin-to-skin: what it is/isn't, why it matters, how to do it, and benefits for father, mother, and baby. Keep the room quiet; close windows to avoid drafts. Do not perform if the father is sleeping. Smokers must not perform while smoking and should do it before smoking when possible. After mother-infant skin-to-skin and breastfeeding, start father-infant contact within four hours of birth. If clothing is unsuitable, provide a surgical gown. Place the diapered infant upright on the father's bare chest. The father supports shoulders and back, maintains eye contact, speaks softly, and touches the baby. Cover both with a blanket; only mother, father, and infant remain, with the researcher silent. Continue at least 15 minutes; end if the father requests care or the infant needs care (diapering, dressing, breastfeeding). Repeat once for the early-contact group and at least daily until discharge for the frequent-contact group; on discharge, remind daily home practice.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Sex
MALE
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2023-01-30
Primary Completion
2024-04-15
Completion
2025-02-05

Countries

  • Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07159477 on ClinicalTrials.gov