Skin to Skin, also known as kangaroo care is cuddling with baby with no clothes on. Skin to skin should as soon as possible after birth, without hats on. A blanket or towel should be placed over mom and baby to keep them both warm!
It is so important for babies to be cuddled on your skin! Think about it, don't you enjoy cuddling with your partner?
Babies have been surrounded and protected by their mother during all of their vital development. It's natural and normal for them to want that same safety and security after they are born.
We've put together a list of 11 surprising benefits of skin to skin that you may not have heard of!
11 Reasons to Keep Baby Naked and Skin to Skin
Adjust to Outside Life
Cuddling skin to skin helps babies adjust to being born. Being on a loving family member's chest helps baby regulate and maintain their heart rate and body temperature.
Infants have trouble maintaining regulatory body functions because their nervous systems are immature.
The less time baby has to spend on regulating, the more time they can spend on growing and bonding with their family.
Helps Baby Latch On
Did you know that newborn babies are fully capable of crawling, finding food, and latching on without the help of anyone?
I DIDN'T BELIEVE IT EITHER! Check out this video and tell me what you think!
More Likely to Breastfeed
Babies left skin to skin with mom are more likely to breastfeed on demand. They are more likely to show hungry cues and are more likely to eat better and more often.
Helps Baby Gain Weight
It's normal for newborns to lose a little weight after birth. Skin to skin helps babies gain healthy weight.
Stabilize Blood Sugar
New research shows that skin to skin contact actually helps to stabilize blood sugar of newborns!
Good Bacteria
Not all bacteria is bad for us! In face good bacteria is integral to our immune system.
Baby's system is immature and needs a lot of protection. Cuddling skin to skin helps baby colonize mom's good bacteria.
Less Likely To Cry
It's no secret. Tiny babies are incapable of self soothing, and like to be held. Skin to skin cuddles are especially beneficial for soothing infants!
Increase Prolactin Levels
Skin to skin cuddles help stimulate mom's hormones that help her make milk.
Stress Relief for Baby
Skin to skin reduces cortisol levels in baby, Research also found that newborns that are chest to chest with a parent react less to heel sticks and blood draws.
Helps Prevent Postpartum Depression
Did you know that skin to skin contact with your baby helps heal and prevent postpartum depression?
It is especially beneficial in the first 2 hours after birth! (Golden Hours.) But it is important to understand that these benefits can be engaged at any time postpartum.
Sometimes immediate skin to skin is not possible for mom and baby, but skin to skin at a later time is just as beneficial and incredibly healing.
Helps Baby Sleep
Skin to skin helps baby sleep better .
Sleep with a newborn can be hard to come by, so I'm all for making sleep easier!
A postpartum doula is well trained in many tips and tricks to help babies get to sleep. We stay up to date on all of the latest research, so you don't have to! We also provide overnight and newborn care for infants and babies to help you get the sleep you need for the life you deserve.