Changing the CICU one hold at a time

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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)

Resources

Calendar of events, printable, SSC journals, and more here

…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

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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

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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.

LIST OF REGISTERED SITES

Ann and Robert H Lurie Children’s Hospital

Arkansas Children’s Hospital

Avocate Children’s Hospital

Boston Children’s Hospital

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Children’s Hosptial of Colorado

Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles

Children’s Hospital Minnesota

Children’s Hospital of Orange County

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC

Children’s Medical Center, Heart Center

Children’s Mercy Kansas City

Children’s National Health System

Children’s Nebraska

Children’s Wisconsin

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital

Cleveland Clinic Children’s

Columbia University Medical Center

Duke University Medical Center

HCA Rocky Mountain Children’s

Joe Dimaggio Children’s

Levine Children’s Hospital

Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital Long Beach

Monroe Carell Children’s Hospital

Montreal Children’s Hospital

Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Nemours Children’s Health, Wilmington DE

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital

Rady Children’s Hospital

Seattle Children’s Hospital

St. Louis Children’s Hospital

Stanford Children’s Hospital

Texas Children’s Hospital

UCSF

University of Utah – Primary Children’s Hospital

Latest Updates

Recent updates on Skin-to-Skin-a-thon

March 11, 2026 VIEW RECORDING – 59 mins (No highlights)…

Read more

February 11 VIEW RECORDING – 63 mins (No highlights) Meeting…

Read more

Dear All, Thank you to everyone who joined the Skin-to-Skin-a-Thon…

Read more

Stay up-to-date

Calendar

Resources to use at your site

Registration Packet

Site Leader Bundle

STS benefit poster

Posters

Banners

Staff Education Slide Deck

Event Flyer

Camp Cuddles

CAMP BADGES

Camp Cuddles

List of 2026 Registered Sites

Ann and Robert H Lurie Children’s Hospital

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. 

 
 
 
 
 
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