Skin to skin
benefits of skin to skin
This is so important after birth. it can also be called kangaroo care.
For newborn babies skin to skin can help regulate their temperature, their heartrate and can ease their transition from the womb to the outside world.
The warmth and closeness to their parent can promote strong attachment between parent and child. This closeness releases oxytocin, the "love hormone", in both parent and baby, fostering feelings of calm and connection.
Skin to skin can also help with development, It stimulates brain development, improves sleeping patterns and strengthens the immune system.
How to best have skin to skin after birth?
Have it in your birth plan! write it down and tell your health care provider. This is regardless of how you give birth, vaginally or caesarean. There is a lot of strong evidence to suggest that it is so important for premature babies too.
You can also remove any clothing from you or the baby, ensure you are both still warm. You can place a blanket over both of you if needed.
Then just relax and enjoy the connection and little newborn snuggles. Even just short periods of skin to skin after birth can have a significant impact. It also doesnt have to be limited to just after birth. Fussy baby at home? try skin to skin it can help both parent and baby.
Dads too! Holding baby on Dad's skin increases the development of essential neural pathways, which accelerates brain maturation. In addition, research shows that kangaroo'ed babies spend more time in quiet sleep, which enhances organizational patterns in the brain and decreases baby's stress responses.
So cuddle up and relax and just enjoy that newborn baby bubble.
Healthy Birth Practice #6: Keep Mother and Baby Together— It’s Best for Mother, Baby, and Breastfeeding - PMC (nih.gov)