Bringing a newborn into the world is a life-changing experience, and one of the most powerful ways to bond with your baby while promoting their health and development is through skin-to-skin care.
Also known as kangaroo care, this practice involves holding your baby against your bare chest, allowing direct skin contact. It’s a simple yet profoundly impactful act that offers numerous benefits for both baby and parent.
Below, I’ve included information on why skin-to-skin care is important and how it can positively influence your newborn’s early life.
What Is Skin-To-Skin Care?
Skin-to-skin care is the practice of placing a newborn, typically naked except for a diaper, directly onto a parent’s or caregiver’s bare chest.
This practice is often initiated immediately after birth and can continue during the early weeks and months of life. It’s particularly beneficial for premature infants but is equally valuable for full-term babies.
Skin-To-Skin Contact Benefits For Newborns
Skin-to-skin care offers a wide range of benefits for newborns, from stabilizing their vital signs to fostering emotional security.
Close physical contact helps regulate a baby’s body temperature and prevents hypothermia, which is especially important for preterm infants. A study highlighted in the National Library of Medicine also notes that it stabilizes their heart rate and breathing, reducing the risk of respiratory distress.
Skin-to-skin contact with your newborn also promotes bonding and emotional security by releasing oxytocin, the “love hormone,” in both the parent and baby. This hormone helps the baby feel safe and secure while strengthening the parent-child connection.
For breastfeeding mothers, skin-to-skin contact encourages latching and feeding success by stimulating the baby’s natural instincts. It also boosts the mother’s milk supply, making breastfeeding easier.
Sanford Health further notes that this practice can reduce stress and pain in newborns, as it lowers cortisol levels and provides comfort during medical procedures. It even helps boost the immune system by exposing the baby to beneficial bacteria from the parent’s skin.
Benefits For Parents And Caregivers
Skin-to-skin contact isn’t just beneficial for babies; it has significant advantages for parents and other caregivers, including dads.
The practice enhances parent-child bonding, helping parents feel more connected to their baby and confident in their caregiving abilities. It also reduces stress and anxiety, lowering the risk of postpartum depression by promoting the release of oxytocin.
Skin-to-skin contact stimulates prolactin production, which is essential for maintaining a healthy milk supply. This makes it easier for breastfeeding mothers to establish and continue breastfeeding.
Dads and other caregivers can also engage in skin-to-skin contact, which is equally important. This practice helps them bond with the baby, supports their emotional and physical development, and gives mothers a chance to rest. An increasing amount of research emphasizes that skin-to-skin care is not limited to mothers and can be a shared experience among caregivers.
When And How To Practice Skin-to-Skin Contact
Skin-to-skin care can begin immediately after birth and continue as often as possible during the first few months of life.
To practice skin-to-skin care, find a comfortable, quiet space. Remove your baby’s clothing, leaving only a diaper, and place them upright on your bare chest.
Ensure their head is turned to the side for easy breathing, and cover them with a blanket or your clothing to keep them warm. Relax and enjoy the bonding experience.
Skin-to-skin contact is beneficial for all types of births, including cesarean deliveries, and can be practiced by mothers, fathers, and other caregivers.
Skin-To-Skin Care For Premature Babies
For premature infants, skin-to-skin care is especially critical.
Often referred to as kangaroo care, this practice helps stabilize vital signs, supports weight gain, and reduces the risk of complications. Many neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) encourage kangaroo care as part of their standard practice, as it has been shown to improve outcomes for preterm babies.
Skin-to-skin care is a simple, natural, and incredibly effective way to support your newborn’s health and development while strengthening the bond between you and your baby. Whether your baby is born full-term or premature, this practice offers many benefits that can have a lasting impact. So, take the time to embrace this precious moment—it’s a gift for you and your little one.
By incorporating skin-to-skin contact into your routine, you’re nurturing your baby’s physical and emotional well-being and creating a foundation for a strong, lifelong connection. And remember, this practice isn’t just for moms—dads and other caregivers can play an equally important role in providing the warmth and security that skin-to-skin contact offers.