Changing the CICU one hold at a time
FOR CICUs
You are the champions on the front lines. Your dedication makes this practice safe and effective. Info and support for participating in the upcoming Skin-to-Skin-a-thon here
For Families
You are the reason for this movement! Your journey inspires us. Learn more about what Skin to Skin Care (SSC) and “Positive Touch” is and the benefits here
(Page coming soon)
…after weeks of being apart, you just start again, you catch up…we can recover these steps [through skin-to-skin care]
Dr. NILS Bergman
Why Skin-to-Skin for Heart Warriors?
Benefits of skin-to-skin care
Physiological stability
Helps regulate heart rate, breathing, oxygen levels, and temperature
Reduces Stress
Helps lower stress levels in both the baby and the parent, potentially reducing cortisol levels
Pain relief
Can relieve pain the baby might feel during certain procedures.
Sleep & Brain Development
Supports good sleep/wake cycles and promotes brain development
Bonding & Attachment
Helps baby and parents form strong attachment and mitigates postpartum anxiety and depression. Increases oxytocin hormone and can help improve milk production
Growth & Immunity
Improves digestion and weight gain; strengthens babies immune function
Register your unit/Hospital
Are you interested in having your unit/hospital participate in the 2nd multicenter CHD STS-a-thon? Click the “Join the 2026 Team” to receive updates on important information and dates, including planning meeting invites. The 2026 event will be the whole month of August! We can’t wait to add you to our map.
Latest Updates
Recent updates on Skin-to-Skin-a-thon
STS-a-thon 2026: Mark Your Calendars!
Hello Everyone, We have some exciting updates to share and…
Stay up-to-date
Calendar
Resources to use at your site
Contact Us
If you have questions about skin to skin care (SSC) in Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) or the upcoming CHD SSC-a-thon that you could not find the answer to on this website, reach out to our leadership team by filling out this form.