Brimdyr, KajsaStevens, JeniSvensson, KristinBlair, AnnaTurner-Maffei, CindyGrady, JulieBastarache, Louiseal Alfy, AblaCrenshaw, Jeannette T.Giugliani, Elsa Regina JustoEwald, UweHaider, RukhsanaJonas, WibkeKagawa, MikeLilliesköld, SiriMaastrup, RagnhildSinclair, RavaeSwift, EmmaTakahashi, YukiCadwell, Karin2025-11-202025-11-202023-08Brimdyr, K, Stevens, J, Svensson, K, Blair, A, Turner-Maffei, C, Grady, J, Bastarache, L, al Alfy, A, Crenshaw, J T, Giugliani, E R J, Ewald, U, Haider, R, Jonas, W, Kagawa, M, Lilliesköld, S, Maastrup, R, Sinclair, R, Swift, E, Takahashi, Y & Cadwell, K 2023, 'Skin-to-skin contact after birth : Developing a research and practice guideline', Acta Paediatrica, International Journal of Paediatrics, vol. 112, no. 8, pp. 1633-1643. https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.168420803-5253155778412311a0484-ed82-46b3-91a2-8d86a76b73498516009085437166443https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11815/7274Funding Information: Funding for the two in‐person meetings (one of the Steering Group and one of the Expert Panel) was provided through a grant from Healthy Children Project, Inc., a not‐for‐profit (501c3) non‐governmental organisation (NGO) located in the United States. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Authors. Acta Paediatrica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Foundation Acta Paediatrica. © 2023 The Authors. Acta Paediatrica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Foundation Acta Paediatrica.Aim: Skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth is recognised as an evidence-based best practice and an acknowledged contributor to improved short- and long-term health outcomes including decreased infant mortality. However, the implementation and definition of skin-to-skin contact is inconsistent in both practice and research studies. This project utilised the World Health Organization guideline process to clarify best practice and improve the consistency of application. Methods: The rigorous guideline development process combines a systematic review with acumen and judgement of experts with a wide range of credentials and experience. Results: The developed guideline received a strong recommendation from the Expert Panel. The result concluded that there was a high level of confidence in the evidence and that the practice is not resource intensive. Research gaps were identified and areas for continued work were delineated. Conclusion: The World Health Organization guideline development process reached the conclusion immediate, continuous, uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact should be the standard of care for all mothers and all babies (from 1000 g with experienced staff if assistance is needed), after all modes of birth. Delaying non-essential routine care in favour of uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact after birth has been shown to be safe and allows for the progression of newborns through their instinctive behaviours.1116195741633-1643eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessbest practicebreastfeedingguideline developmentimplementationskin-to-skinParturitionInfant MortalityHumansBreast FeedingInfantMothersPregnancyFemaleSkinInfant, NewbornPediatrics, Perinatology and Child HealthSDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being/dk/atira/pure/researchoutput/researchoutputtypes/contributiontojournal/systematicreview10.1111/apa.16842