You’ve probably heard skin-to-skin directly after birth has many benefits, right? Unfortunately, this isn’t always an option for everyone. If there are complications that require mom or baby to have a little extra attention, this may take away from your time with baby. But that’s okay, Did you know continuing skin-to-skin with your baby throughout the first few months of life can still have a ton of benefits for you and baby? When baby is placed on your bare chest, many amazing things happen.
What is skin-to-skin?
Exactly what it sounds like. Placing your nakey baby on your bare chest.
Undress baby and put them in a fresh diaper, lay baby on your chest and place a blanket over baby’s back to help stay warm. Skin-to-skin is not only for mom and baby but also for the other parent as well!
Benefits for baby
Helps baby adjust to their new environment. They spent the last 9 months in your warm, dark womb, listening to your heart beat. They are soothed by being on your warm body, hearing familiar sounds.
Helps regulate body temperature. Baby’s lose heat very easily. Placing baby on your chest helps regulate and maintain their body temperature.
Encourages breastfeeding. Holding baby directly on your bare breast for periods of time allows baby to familiarize themselves with your body. You may notice baby slowly make their way to your breast and maybe even latch on their own.
Benefits for both parents
Bonding. When mom and baby are close together, their bodies may fall into “sync” with one another. Skin-to-skin can help both parents bond with their new baby and familiarize them with each other. Skin-to-skin can help promote a healthy breastfeeding relationship. You can also bottle feed during skin to skin. Birth parent and birth partner can both enjoy skin-to-skin with baby while feeding.
Communication. Skin-to-skin may help you easily distinguish between baby’s different cues. Identifying sleep cues, hunger cues & discomfort can help you confidently calm and soothe baby.
Lower the chances of postpartum depression. After birth you experience a whirlwind of emotions and hormonal changes, your birth partner can feel these hormonal changes too! Snuggling baby can help with the release oxytocin and can help lower stress levels. Sharing sweet moments as a family can be mood lifting.
When is it time to stop skin-to-skin?
You can enjoy skin-to-skin with your little one for as long as you and baby are comfortable. As baby becomes more mobile and independent, you may notice they are no longer interested in quiet skin-to-skin time. As baby grows, you will find other wonderful ways to continue bonding.