Cuddle therapy: skin-to-skin contact may reprogram stress genes in preemies

This study looks at whether giving moderate to late preterm babies skin-to-skin contact right after birth, instead of separating them, can change how their stress genes work and improve their development. About 60 babies born vaginally between 32 and 37 weeks will be randomly assigned to immediate skin contact or standard separation. Researchers will measure stress-related gene activity and mother-child bonding over time.