The Importance of Skin-To-Skin Contact With Your Baby
We have always known that babies benefit from being touched and held closely to their mothers and now in the majority of hospitals, mothers are actively encouraged to have skin-to-skin contact with their babies as soon as possible after birth.
Skin to skin contact is a crucial part of the bonding process; finely tuned senses of smell and touch help the newborn to feel safe and secure whilst developing a bond to you through your unique smell and the touch of your bare skin. At first newborns will recognise their parents by scent and the sound of their voices alone.
When placed on the mother’s chest at birth a healthy baby is able to instinctively search for and find the mothers breast, attaching to the nipple for a feed without assistance, a truly incredible sight to witness!
FATHERS TOO
Touch and close contact is not just important for Mother and baby though. Fathers may not be able to breastfeed, but skin-to-skin contact is equally important for fathers. This practice provides the perfect opportunity for fathers to form a positive bond and attachment to their babies too!
MAXIMISING THE BENEFITS
Place baby directly on your chest allowing full skin-to-skin contact for maximum benefits. This area of the body is packed with sensitive nerve fibres that when stimulated release a cascade of beneficial hormones.
Complications at birth may mean that it is not possible to place baby on a mother’s chest immediately, but all is not lost. The father or another carer can stand in to begin with whilst mum recovers, or in the case of a premature baby, you can make up for lost time as soon as baby is stable enough to do so.
In the 1980’s two physicians from Bogota, Columbia discovered that premature babies had a greater chance of survival when kept in a pouch against their care provider’s chest. This technique is often called ‘kangaroo care’.
See below for a list detailing some of the many ways that skin-to-skin contact can be beneficial for both babies and parents…
BREASTFEEDING
We have already discussed how skin-to-skin contact directly after birth can encourage baby to latch on independently, but over the subsequent months, it can also be beneficial as this contact encourages babies to feed more efficiently and helps mothers to produce a greater supply of milk!
Following a feed, the father’s chest is an ideal spot for baby to get some skin-to-skin contact and enjoy a cosy, contented sleep, whilst mum has a break!
BUILDING CONFIDENCE
This intimate process of bonding raises each parent’s confidence in their ability to care for their baby. Whilst this is of equal importance to both mothers and fathers, it can be particularly beneficial for fathers who may otherwise find it much harder to establish a role and gain confidence with their baby.
INCREASED OXYTOCIN
Oxytocin is a natural hormone that creates a feeling of relaxation and wellbeing. The feelings generated when this particular hormone is released in the brain lead to an increase in attraction and care giving behaviours. The release of Oxytocin is significantly increased through skin-to-skin contact, promoting stronger bonds, which are beneficial to both parents and baby.
COMMUNICATION
Crying is not the only way for babies to communicate, because they are also able to communicate with us through touch and expression. ‘Rooting’ is a great example of how a baby can demonstrate that he or she is hungry. The moment that little mouth puckers up and starts searching for something to latch onto, it is clear that baby has a hungry tummy! Whilst in close contact, all kinds of subtle signals are far easier to recognise.
EMOTIONAL SECURITY
Babies feel secure when strong emotional bonds are formed within the family unit. Feeling safe and content gives them the emotional security they need for the best possible start in life.
Research has also shown that skin contact with baby greatly reduces the risk of mothers experiencing postnatal depression. This is thanks to the increased levels of oxytocin, which helps to balance and stabilise mums hormonal levels and reduce blood pressure making mums feel altogether more content too!
NATURAL PAIN RELIEF
In any situation where a baby feels stressed, skin contact can relax baby so significantly that their cortisol levels (stress hormones) are reduced. This soothing effect helps to reduce or ease pain in any situation where baby might feel discomfort, i.e. when a vaccination is administered.
HEALTHY DIGESTION AND WEIGHT GAIN
Reduced levels of cortisol in babies minimises gastrointestinal issues and makes the body more efficient at absorbing and digesting nutrients. This helps babies to retain their birth weight and generally improves their weight gain.
MAINTAIN A HEALTHY TEMPERATURE
Newborn babies are entirely dependent on their carers for warmth, as they have no capacity to regulate their own body temperature alone. Skin to skin contact takes care of this naturally. When held to the mother’s chest a natural process called thermoregulation occurs and the heat in the breasts adjusts naturally to help baby maintain a healthy temperature.
Dads may not be able to provide this same process of thermoregulation, but nonetheless their chests are the ideal place to position a newborn. In this position, babies remain warm and healthy glucose levels are retained.
ACCELERATED BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
Lying on their parent’s chest, listening to a rhythmic heartbeat and steady breathing pattern is incredibly relaxing for a baby. In addition to providing positive sensory stimulation, this position also helps babies to fall asleep. Quality sleep patterns and sensory stimulation are essential, setting the stage for optimal brain development and maturation in babies.
BOOST YOUR BABIES IMMUNE SYSTEM
During skin-to-skin contact, antibodies are passed through the skin from the parent’s mature immune system, giving babies immune systems a healthy boost!
Keeping in mind that this is not an exhaustive list, the benefits of skin-to-skin contact are really quite impressive. This is a natural, zero technology way to provide numerous benefits for babies and strengthen the entire family unit!
