Skin-to-skin contact, for 25 to 120 minutes after birth, early suckling, or both positively influenced mother-infant interaction 1 year later when compared with routines involving separation of mother and infant.

Inborn breastfeeding reflexes were depressed at birth, possibly because of a depressed sensory system. It is hypothesized that when the infant is given the option to peacefully go through the nine behavioural phases birth cry, relaxation, awakening, activity, crawling, resting, familiarization, suckling and sleeping when skin-to-skin with its mother this results in early optimal self-regulation.

Kangaroo Mother Care should begin as soon as possible after birth, be applied as continuous skin-to-skin contact to the extent that this is possible and appropriate and continue for as long as appropriate.

Aim This paper integrates clinical expertise to earlier research about the behaviours of the healthy, alert, full‐term infant placed skin‐to‐skin with the mother during the first hour after birth following a noninstrumental vaginal birth. Method This state‐of‐the‐art article forms a link within the knowledge‐to‐action cycle, integrating clinical observations and practice with evidence‐based findings to guide clinicians in their work to implement safe uninterrupted skin‐to‐skin contact the first hours after birth. Results Strong scientific research exists about the importance of skin‐to‐skin in the first hour after birth. This unique time for both mother and infant, individually and in relation to each other, provides vital advantages to short‐ and long‐term health, regulation and bonding. However, worldwide, clinical practice lags. A deeper understanding of the implications for clinical practice, through review of the scientific research, has been integrated with enhanced understanding of the infant's instinctive behaviour and maternal responses while in skin‐to‐skin contact. Conclusion The first hour after birth is a sensitive period for both the infant and the mother. Through an enhanced understanding of the newborn infant's instinctive behaviour, practical, evidence‐informed suggestions strive to overcome barriers and facilitate enablers of knowledge translation. This time must be protected by evidence‐based routines of staff.

Implementation of the original KMC method, with continuous skin-to-skin contact whenever possible, is recommended for application in high-tech environments, although scientific evaluation should continue.