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.
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
Large group Meeting – March
March 11, 2026 VIEW RECORDING – 59 mins (No highlights)…
Jan Large Group Meeting Minutes
Dear All, Thank you to everyone who joined the Skin-to-Skin-a-Thon…
Stay up-to-date
Calendar
Resources to use at your site
List of 2026 Registered Sites
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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