Skin-to-Skin Contact for All Babies

Expectant parents often are unaware of the importance of first moments with their new baby. Educators and healthcare providers can play an important role in informing parents what to expect at birth and supporting them in this amazing transition from “expectant parent” to “new parent”.

Extensive research has proven significant short- and long-term benefits to skin to skin contact, both immediately after birth, and as a regular part of infant care. Infant and early childhood development experts agree that physical contact bolsters the health of both the mother and the child.

Skin-to-skin contact:

•Makes it easier for babies to latch at the breast.
•Improves milk production.
•Helps babies regulate their body temperature.
•Supports healthy blood glucose levels in babies after birth.
•Reduces stress for both mother and child.
•Lowers pain perception for both mother and child.
•Not just for breastfeeding mothers and babies!

One of the most commonly cited benefits of this practice is that skin-to-skin contact helps babies latch successfully during attempts to breastfeed. However, some expectant mothers do not plan to breastfeed for a variety of reasons. It is recommended that “regardless of feeding preferences” parents should be educated during pregnancy about the numerous additional psychological and physical benefits of skin-to-skin contact.

Normalize the process.

Most health care providers are now encouraging parents to initiate skin-to-skin contact as soon as possible after birth. Explaining this to parents will help to prepare them. Holding a newborn covered in bodily fluids against her skin may be startling, so education about the normal micro biome (healthy bacteria on the skin and in the mother’s bodily fluids)is important to avoid a negative reaction to starting skin-to-skin at the moment of birth.

Be sensitive.

Be mindful of special circumstances that may impact how parents feel about skin-to-skin contact. The emotional impact and shock of initial skin-to-skin contact with the newborn can be unwelcome for some parents, especially if they feel pressured to alter their feeding plans or bond with a newborn in cases involving adoption or surrogacy.

Tailor the information based circumstances. Skin-to-skin contact can be provided by non-birthing parents, including fathers and adoptive parents. Humans are designed to hold and carry their young!

Here are a few simple do’s and don’ts on skin-to-skin contact:

Do: Place baby skin-to-skin immediately after birth unless a medical need prevents it.

Do: Cover the parent and child together with a blanket to keep the baby warm and keep the baby’s face visible.

Do: Allow the baby plenty of time to settle in on the chest after birth and to find their way to the breast for their first feeding if baby shows interest

Do: Promote skin-to-skin contact to encourage attachment bonds with non-birthing parents, family members, and other regular caregivers whenever feasible.

Don’t: Leave any clothing or blankets that block skin-to-skin contact between parent and child.

Don’t: Rush skin-to-skin contact or allow non-urgent interruptions of the baby during exploration or latching. An hour minimum is recommended. Longer is even better.

Going over these guidelines will help parents and caregivers prepare for and remember to prioritize skin-to-skin both immediately after birth and throughout the child’s infancy and early childhood.

*adapted from an article on the Plumtree website.