Skin-to-skin contact has great benefits for the baby, the birth parent, and the non-birth parent.
Start by including your desire for immediate skin-to-skin contact with your baby in your birth place. Some medical professions will clean the baby first and others will not. Having the baby rest on mom’s chest covered by a blanket is a wonderful way to help the baby transition from the cozy womb into the “real world” and aids in immediate bonding.
Of course, some circumstances mean that skin-to-skin contact might be delayed. This is okay. Skin-to-skin contact at any time between the newborn baby and the birth parent or the baby and the non-birth parent helps promote bonding and emotional attachment.
There is scientific evidence that there are tremendous benefits for the baby. Look at this amazing list of what skin-to-skin contact can do for your newborn:
Regulate heartbeat and breathing
Increase a weight gain
Improve oxygen saturation levels
Maintain body temperature
Support breastfeeding
Result in longer periods of sleep
And, scientific evidence aside, is there anything sweeter than a newborn nestled on your chest?
If you want more time for holding and getting to know your newborn, Tennessee Family Doulas’ are ready to provide in-home and overnight care for as long as you need us. This includes newborn comfort techniques, birth recovery support, meal preparation for maintaining hydration/nutrition, sibling care, light household support, and so much more!
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