Anderson 2003.

Methods	Randomized controlled trial (computerized minimization technique).
Participants	91 healthy preterm infants 32‐36 weeks' gestation and their mothers. Only data from the 31 infants on the postpartum unit were included in the analysis; the 60 NICU infants were excluded. Mean GA of the included infants was 35.6 weeks. There were no significant between‐group differences in socio‐demographic or medical characteristics in this subgroup of infants except 5‐min Apgar scores. The mean 5‐min Apgar score was 9.0 in the SSC group and 8.5 in the control group.
Interventions	1) SSC group = diaper‐clad infants placed prone and SSC between their mother's breasts as soon as possible post birth for as often and as long as possible each time. At other times, mothers also held their infants wrapped in blankets. 2) Control group = infants kept warm in incubators, warmer beds, bassinets or held wrapped in blankets. Process outcomes include mean % contact time during hours 0‐48 spent in SSC or wrapped holding by mother, father or others and mean % non contact time (no hold) hours 0‐48 post birth.
Outcomes	MPI measured by mean scores on the Nursing Child Assessment Satellite Training Program (NCAST) Feeding and Teaching scales at 6,12 and 18 months post birth (reported in Chiu 2009 using the same data set). Breastfeeding status (exclusivity) at hospital discharge, 6 weeks, 3, 6, 12 and 18 months post birth (reported in Hake‐Brooks 2008 using the same data set).
Notes	Study was done in the USA at 2 different hospitals 1 in Cleveland, Ohio and the other in Richland, Washington. Participants were mixed parity. Subgroups: Immediate contact; high dose.
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Low risk	Randomization was by a computerized minimization program.
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Low risk	Sealed, sequentially‐numbered opaque envelopes containing the next group assignment were used for the first 10 participants to prevent selection bias. The rest of the participants were assigned to groups using the minimization technique. Informed consent was obtained during early labor. Mother‐infant dyads were randomly assigned to groups immediately post birth.
Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias) All outcomes	High risk	Intervention not possible to blind.
Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) All outcomes	Low risk	The research staff involved in evaluating MPI data at 6,12 and 18 months post birth using a videotaped infant feeding and teaching session were unaware of the mother's group assignment. The nurse researcher who collected IBS scores was blind to participant group assignment.
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes	Low risk	At 6 months post birth, 2/15 infants were missing from the SSC group and 2/14 from the control group; at 12 months post birth 2/15 infants were missing from the SSC group and 2/14 from the control group, at 18 months post birth 3/15 infants were missing from the SSC group and 2/14 from the control group. At 3 and 6 months post birth 1/11 breastfeeding SSC infants had missing data on the IBS. At 6 weeks post birth 1/12 breastfeeding control infants had data missing on the IBS, at 3 months post birth 3/12 infants had missing data.
Selective reporting (reporting bias)	Low risk	Numerical data (M, SD) were reported by group assignment for the NCAST feeding scales at 6 and 12 months, and the NCAST teaching scales at 6, 12 and 18 months post birth. Numerical data were reported for the IBS N, n,% in each breastfeeding category at hospital discharge, 6 weeks post birth and at 3, 6,12 and 18 months post birth.
Other bias	Unclear risk	In the SSC group the nurse researchers provided breastfeeding assistance with the initial feedings. The control mothers received standard hospital care. Lactation consultants provided breastfeeding assistance if the mother requested help and if they were available.