Birth may be an overwhelming experience for the entire family. Skin to skin cuddling, also known as kangaroo mother care, is the best way to transition your newborn from the womb into this new world. Skin-to-skin keeps your baby at the right temperature, helps with breast/chestfeeding, and calms your baby.
Skin-to-skin cuddling can happen between a baby and either parent. The baby lies on their stomach with their head on your bare chest. A blanket is wrapped around your baby’s body and under your arms.
The benefits of skin-to-skin cuddling are seen right after birth, when parent and baby are reunited after a separation. The benefits are also seen any time parent and baby need to reassure each other.
Skin-to-skin cuddling has benefits for both you and your baby. Your body is aware of your baby’s body temperature. If your baby is too cool, your body temperature will rise two degrees to warm your baby. If your baby is too warm, your body temperature will lower one degree to help your baby cool.
With your baby’s head on your chest, they can hear the familiar heartbeat from the past nine months (or less). Your baby can smell and taste you. This will reduce stress in you and your baby. When babies are relaxed, they are able to cue for feeding. Skin-to-skin cuddling is an excellent tool to help babies begin to initiate feeding behaviors that tell you it is time to feed your baby. Babies calm down when they are skin-to-skin on their parents’ chest.
Skin-to-skin cuddling increases both prolactin and oxytocin levels. Prolactin is the hormone that produces milk. Oxytocin is a hormone that helps bond a parent and their baby and allows the colostrum and milk to eject.
In addition to the benefits of skin-to-skin at birth there are benefits of continuing to doing skin-to-skin time with your baby as they get older. It can help reduce stress hormones and crying in the baby, and promote attachment and bonding.
