Infant Assessment and Reduction of Sudden Unexpected Postnatal Collapse Risk During Skin-to-Skin Contact

To encourage use of skin-to-skin contact with all healthy term infants during the first two hours of life and throughout their mothers’ postpartum hospitalization, an easy, rapid newborn assessment tool, the “RAPP”, has been developed to enhance labor and delivery and mother-baby nurses’ ability to swiftly and accurately assess newborn physiologic condition. The “RAPP” assessment (respiratory activity, perfusion, and position) tool is being proposed as a way to swiftly evaluate infants’ physiologic condition and position. Position of the infant is a key factor in minimizing risk of Sudden Unexpected Postnatal Collapse (SUPC). SUPC is an emerging complication of skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding in the first hours and days post-birth. The “RAPP” assessment parameters and flow sheet are discussed, risk factors for SUPC are enumerated, and a checklist to prevent SUPC is presented so skin-to-skin contact can be safely provided.