by Susan M. Ludington-Hoe, PhD, CNM, CKC, FAAN Marilyn Lotas, PhD Karen D'Apolito, PhD, APRN, NNP-BC, FAAN
ABSTRACT
Early recommendations to separate mothers from their newborns during the coronavirus disease
2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have created a detrimental separation practice. This article presents a review of the latest information regarding the (
1) 3 modes of transmission of the virus to the neonate;
(2) incidence, clinical signs, and severity of COVID-19 in the neonate;
(3) factors to be considered to balance risk and benefits of separation and skin-to-skin contact (SSC) when conducting shared decision making; and
(4) compendium of published SSC guidelines; and concludes with recommendations for safe practice of SSC to prevent and/or restrict COVID-19 infection in neonates.