Mehler K, et al. - In this single-centre randomized controlled trial carried out in a German level III NICU, researchers studied the impacts of 60 minutes delivery room skin-to-skin contact (DR-SSC) as opposed to 5 minutes visual contact (VC) on mother-child interaction (MCI), salivary cortisol, maternal depression, stress and bonding at 6 months corrected age. After initial stabilization to either 60 minutes DR-SSC or 5 minutes VC, 88 preterm infants (25-32 weeks of gestational age) were randomized. According to results, DR-SSC mothers were at lower risk of both early postpartum depression and impaired bonding. DR-SSC promotes MCI and reduces the risk of maternal depression and bonding difficulties in addition to regular intermittent kangaroo mother care. Consequently, DR-SSC could have positive effects on preterm growth.