Description
MAINN conference abstract presentation – 28/29/30 April 2025Dr Helen McIntyre, Beverly Cowlishaw
CRN teams.
Title
Acceptability and sustainability of the term ‘Snugby’ skin-to-skin undergarment in maternity settings.
Abstract.
Background:
Mother-baby Skin-to-skin is recommended by UNICEF/WHO, Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) standards (1989, Nyqvist et al 2010). Baby benefits include stabilisation of physiological parameters (Bergman 2010, Moore 2016) increased neurological adaptability and reduced infections (Ludington-Hoe 2011). Maternal hormone levels increase lactation and self-esteem (Uvnas-Moberg 2016).
Maniago et al (2019) identified barriers: lack of knowledge and belief in skin-to-skin by staff and parents; lack of guidelines, accountability and equipment. Hospital routines were prohibitive (Seidman et al 2015).
The ‘term’ Snugby observational feasibility and main study demonstrated increased mother-baby interaction and stable baby thermoregulation (Bailey et al 2017, 2020).
The benefits from skin-to-skin (NHS Longterm Plan 2019, Maternity Transformation Programme 2016, UNICEF/WHO (2023) and NICE (2021)) could be facilitated by widening access to a Snugby.
The study aims:
1.
Identify the knowledge and attitudes of staff and women/families to skin-to-skin before and after the use of the Snugby.
2.
Evaluate acceptability of the Snugby following its use by women.
3.
Assess robustness of the Snugby.
Methodology:
The multi-centred, ethically approved, Clinical-Research-Network adopted study included one tertiary and three secondary maternity units across England with different BFHI accreditations.
Following written informed consent, a pre and post Snugby use questionnaire for healthcare workers and women was completed.
The mother and baby dyad were issued with a ‘term’ Snugby of the appropriate maternal size (small, medium, large), shown how to use it and a temperature taken using the thermometer provided prior to Snugby use and after 30 minutes in skin-to-skin. A bespoke mother’s diary was provided.
A prepaid envelop for return of the diary, post-questionnaire and Snugby after 2 weeks was issued and three reminders following the expected date of return. The Snugby was measured
prior to issue and on return before hospital laundering at the required thermally disinfecting temperature.
The trial was commenced on11.11.19(pre Covid-19), stopped between 04.20(during Covid-19) and restarted on14.6.21 and completed 01.22.
Findings:
A total of 199 staff maternity staff were recruited from five Trusts with a mix of BFI accreditation and acuity levels. 98% knew about skin-to-skin but not all benefits; this varied between professions. UNICEF-BFI accreditation did enhance knowledge and information giving. Of the 58 women recruited, 82% knew about skin-to-skin with 60% receiving information from the midwife. Temperature, heart and respiratory rate and breastfeeding were recorded. Those using the Snugby had an average of 55minutes per day in skin-to-skin and a maximum of 240 minutes. The Snugby encouraged 65% with more frequent and extended skin-to-skin but 20% disagreed. The Snugby measurements following re-use and washing at hospital temperatures proved to be stable. Re-use appeared acceptable.
Conclusion:
More depth of knowledge and information giving is required.
Anxieties around re-use within this population were minimal.
References:
Maniago, J.D., Almazan, J.U. and Albougami, A.S. (2020) 'Nurses' kangaroo mother care practice implementation and future challenges: An integrative review', Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 34(2), pp. 293-304
Bailey, R. (2020) A skin to skin contact facilitating garment used by mother-infant dyads: exploring its acceptability, usage and effect on health outcomes in the postnatal period. BCU PhD repository.
| Period | 2025 → … |
|---|---|
| Degree of Recognition | International |