• M J Renfrew, S Lang, and M W Woolridge.
• Mother and Infant Research Unit, University of Leeds, 22 Hyde Terrace, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK, LS2 9LN. m.j.renfrew@leeds.ac.uk
• Cochrane Db Syst Rev. 2000 Jan 1 (2): CD000043CD000043.

Editorial NoteThis review has been withdrawn because it is out of date. The topic will be covered by a new review, 'The effect of the timing of feedings on the establishment of breastfeeding', the protocol for which is currently being prepared.BackgroundIt has been suggested that the timing of a baby's first breastfeed may influence breastfeeding duration and emotional attachment.ObjectivesThe objective of this review was to assess the effects of breastfeeding soon after birth (within 30 minutes) compared to being breastfed later (between 4 to 8 hours after delivery) on the duration of breastfeeding and the mother/infant relationship.Search StrategyWe searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register.Selection CriteriaRandomised and quasi-randomised trials comparing early skin contact and breastfeeding with late skin contact and breastfeeding in women intending to breastfeed their healthy term infant.Data Collection And AnalysisData were extracted by two reviewers.Main ResultsThree studies involving 209 women were included. Compared with late contact and breastfeeding, early contact and breastfeeding was associated with greater communication between mother and infants in a two minute observation period (odds ratio 0.14, 95% confidence interval 0.03 to 0.61). There was no difference detected for numbers of women breastfeeding after birth (odds ratio for 12 weeks after birth 0.73, 95% confidence interval 0.34 to 1.54).Reviewer's ConclusionsNo differences were found between early and delayed contact in regard to breastfeeding duration. Early contact was associated with greater communication between mothers and infants.

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