Welcoming a newborn into the world is one of the most magical moments in a parent’s life. In those first moments after delivery, there is something incredibly powerful that can set the tone for your baby’s emotional, physical, and developmental health—skin-to-skin contact.
You may have heard about this special practice, but why is it so important?
What Is Skin-to-Skin Contact?
Skin-to-skin contact, also known as “kangaroo care,” involves placing your baby directly on your bare chest after delivery. The baby, wearing only a diaper, rests against your skin, creating immediate contact. This can be done by either parent and is typically encouraged right after birth, even before your baby is cleaned up.
Benefits of Skin-to-Skin for Baby
- Helps Regulate Baby’s Temperature Newborns can have trouble maintaining their body temperature after birth, but skin-to-skin contact helps regulate their body heat naturally. Your chest adjusts to the baby’s needs—warming them up or cooling them down as required.
- Improves Bonding and Emotional Connection One of the most beautiful outcomes of skin-to-skin contact is the emotional bond it fosters. This immediate closeness helps your baby feel safe and secure. Your heartbeat and warmth remind the baby of the womb, providing comfort in the new, unfamiliar world.
- Supports Breastfeeding Skin-to-skin contact can make breastfeeding easier. Babies placed on their mother’s chest soon after birth are more likely to start breastfeeding naturally. The scent of the mother’s skin and the closeness of the breast encourage the baby to latch on, supporting successful breastfeeding right from the start. The Breastfeeding Experience
- Regulates Baby’s Heart Rate and Breathing The baby’s heart rate and breathing can be irregular right after birth, but skin-to-skin contact helps stabilize these vital signs. The soothing rhythm of your heartbeat and breathing pattern helps your baby settle into a calm state.
- Reduces Crying and Stress Skin-to-skin contact helps calm the baby, reducing crying and stress levels. Studies show that babies who experience early skin-to-skin contact cry less and appear more relaxed during their first hours of life.
- Boosts Immunity When your baby rests on your chest, they gain exposure to healthy bacteria from your skin, which strengthens their immune system. This exposure helps build the baby’s natural defenses, making them less likely to get sick.
Benefits of Skin-to-Skin for Parents
- Strengthens Parental Bond Skin-to-skin is not only beneficial for the baby, but it also helps parents connect on a deeper level with their newborn. Holding your baby close allows you to feel the reality of their presence, strengthening the emotional connection. Fathers and other caregivers can also experience this bond by practicing skin-to-skin contact.
- Increases Confidence in Caring for Baby For first-time parents, especially, skin-to-skin contact can make you feel more confident in handling and caring for your newborn. The closeness allows you to tune into your baby’s cues and needs more naturally.
- Promotes Hormonal Balance For mothers, skin-to-skin contact encourages the release of oxytocin, also known as the “love hormone.” Oxytocin helps mothers feel calm, reduces stress, and promotes milk production for breastfeeding. It also helps mothers recover emotionally from the challenges of childbirth.
How to Practice Skin-to-Skin Contact
Skin-to-skin contact is simple, yet so powerful. Here’s how to practice it:
- Right After Birth: As soon as your baby is delivered, ask for immediate skin-to-skin contact. The baby will be placed directly on your chest for at least an hour before being moved for cleaning and weighing.
- In the First Days and Beyond: Skin-to-skin can continue beyond the delivery room. Practice this whenever you can, at home or even when visiting the doctor. Both parents should try to incorporate skin-to-skin time as part of bonding with the baby.
- Make it a Habit: Whether it’s before a feeding, after a bath, or just during quiet time, skin-to-skin contact can be a daily bonding ritual that helps calm both baby and parent.
Skin-to-skin contact is a simple and natural way to help your baby adjust to life outside the womb while also strengthening the bond between you. It provides countless physical and emotional benefits for both the baby and parents, making it a practice that should be embraced and encouraged. So, when you welcome your newborn, remember that sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is simply hold them close, skin-to-skin.