Skin to skin contact for newborns provides important physical and emotional benefits for both babies and parents. This close connection helps your baby adjust to life outside the womb and kickstarts the bonding process between you and your little one.
Skin-to-skin contact for newborns?
Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) involves placing your naked newborn directly on your bare chest immediately after birth, ideally staying skin-to-skin for at least an hour or until your baby has finished their first feeding. Some people refer to this special time as the “Golden Hour.” During SSC, your baby is usually covered with a warm blanket to keep them comfortable.
SSC is often referred to as “kangaroo care” because it mirrors what kangaroo mothers do: hold their babies close for warmth, safety, and easy access to feeding. (Kangaroo care can also refer to skin-to-skin contact plus exclusive breastfeeding.)
Health organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the World Health Organization (WHO) all recommend SSC right after birth, regardless of whether or not you plan to breastfeed.
The best time for SSC is before the umbilical cord is clamped and cut and before your baby is cleaned or weighed. The first hour after birth is particularly crucial, as your body releases maternal hormones and your baby may naturally find their way to your breast to begin nursing.
Experts sometimes refer to immediate SSC (within 10 minutes of birth) or early SSC (within 24 hours). But SSC isn’t limited to these moments – you can continue SSC for weeks or even months afterward.
“SSC shouldn’t be limited to just the first hour or day, but should be practiced in the following days and weeks,” says Dr. Layan Alrahmani, a board-certified ob-gyn and maternal-fetal medicine specialist. “The benefits are cumulative over time.”
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What Are the Benefits of Skin-to-Skin Contact?
SSC makes the early moments for your baby smoother and less stressful. It offers multiple health advantages for both you and your newborn.
Benefits of Skin-to-Skin for Babies:
Comfort and Calm
Skin-to-skin soothes and relaxes babies after the stress of being born. Research shows that infants who experience SSC cry less and sleep more soundly compared to those who don’t.
Stabilized Vital Signs
Newborns have trouble regulating their body temperature. SSC helps keep your baby warm through your body heat. Additionally, studies show that SSC helps regulate heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and glucose levels, making it easier for babies to adapt to life outside the womb.
Easier Breastfeeding
Babies placed on their mother’s chest right after birth often naturally move towards the breast to begin feeding. Research has shown that babies who get skin-to-skin time often latch on more easily and nurse for longer.
One study of over 1,000 mothers in 150 hospitals found that 90 minutes of uninterrupted SSC greatly improved the chances of newborns being physically ready to breastfeed. There was also a strong link between SSC and successful breastfeeding within the first hour of birth. About 93% of babies who had SSC breastfed within the hour, compared to only 68% who didn’t.
Lower Infection Risk
If SSC happens before your baby is cleaned, research suggests they’ll be less prone to infections, as they’re exposed to beneficial bacteria you pass on during vaginal birth.
Benefits of Skin-to-Skin for Mothers:
Lower Risk of Postpartum Depression and Stress
SSC stimulates the release of beta-endorphins in your brain, helping you feel calm and relaxed. It also boosts oxytocin and prolactin, hormones that support bonding and breastfeeding.
In one study of over 1,800 women, SSC was associated with reduced feelings of fear and guilt after childbirth, especially for mothers who delivered via C-section. Another study found that mothers who practiced SSC during a C-section reported feeling more connected to their baby and experienced less postpartum anxiety and depression.
For moms of low-birth-weight babies, SSC after birth was linked to a 25% reduction in moderate to severe depression by four weeks postpartum.
Improved Responsiveness to Baby’s Needs
SSC helps new mothers feel more comfortable holding their baby and makes it easier to respond to their needs. A study found that mothers who didn’t have SSC at birth were less responsive to their baby’s cries at four days postpartum.
How Does Skin-to-Skin Help Premature Babies?
Many of the benefits of SSC for full-term babies are even more crucial for premature infants. A World Health Organization (WHO) study of more than 3,000 preterm babies found that immediate SSC, or “kangaroo mother care,” significantly reduced mortality rates at 28 days compared to conventional care.
SSC for preemies has been shown to:
- Support better neurological development
- Promote faster growth
- Decrease pain during medical procedures
- Stabilize heart rate, breathing, and temperature
- Improve sleep
- Shorten stays in the NICU
You can start SSC with your preemie as soon as they are stable enough. Medical tubes or monitors may need to be adjusted, but SSC can begin once it is safe.
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What If I Can’t Do skin to skin contact for newborns?
Sometimes medical circumstances prevent SSC right after birth, and that’s okay. If your baby has health concerns, their immediate medical needs take priority. SSC can happen later and still provide significant benefits.
If you have a C-section, you might not be able to hold your newborn while still in surgery, but many hospitals now allow SSC during or immediately after C-sections. If you’re unable to do SSC right away, your partner or loved one can step in.
Should Dads Do skin to skin contact for newborns?
Absolutely! Skin-to-skin contact with dads or partners provides many of the same benefits for babies, including stabilizing heart rate and temperature, reducing crying, and encouraging early feeding. It can also help new dads bond with their baby.
In one study, babies who experienced SSC with their fathers shortly after a C-section cried less and showed more stable heart rates and temperatures than those who received routine care. Fathers also reported lower anxiety and felt more confident in their role as caregivers.
When Should You Stop Skin-to-Skin Contact?
There’s no set time to stop SSC. You can continue for as long as you and your baby enjoy it. Many parents find that SSC is beneficial for weeks or months after birth. However, as your baby gets older, they may become more active and resist SSC. That’s a good time to explore other bonding activities, like snuggling, feeding, or reading together.
Tips for Safe skin to skin contact for newborns
While SSC comes naturally, here are a few safety tips:
- Make sure your baby’s nose and mouth aren’t blocked by a blanket or your body.
- Avoid falling asleep during SSC on a bed or couch, as it increases the risk of SIDS or suffocation.
- Avoid smoking or vaping, as secondhand smoke is harmful.
- Skip scented lotions or perfumes, which can irritate your baby’s skin.
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