The Science of Skin-to-Skin Contact and the Benefits to Birthing People and Babies

As you embark on the journey of parenthood, you'll encounter countless magical moments, and one of the most profound experiences awaits you in the intimate practice of skin-to-skin contact with your newborn baby. Let's delve into the science behind this beautiful act and explore why it's so essential for the well-being of both you and your little one.

What is Skin-to-Skin Contact?

Skin-to-skin contact, also known as kangaroo care, involves placing your naked newborn baby directly against your bare chest, with your baby touching your skin with theirs. This practice is not only instinctual but also supported by extensive scientific research that underscores its remarkable benefits. Skin-to-skin is recommended during the first hour of life, also called the Golden Hour, but the benefits of skin-to-skin continue as your baby gets accustomed to the world outside your womb.

Benefits for Your Baby:

1. Regulates Body Temperature: Your newborn baby's ability to regulate body temperature is still developing, making them susceptible to heat loss. Skin-to-skin contact acts as a natural incubator, utilizing your body heat to help maintain their temperature within the optimal range, reducing the risk of hypothermia.

2. Stabilizes Physiological Parameters: Studies have demonstrated that skin-to-skin contact leads to more stable heart rates, respiratory rates, and oxygen saturation levels in newborns. This stabilization of physiological parameters is crucial for their overall well-being, particularly in the fragile early days of life. Your heartbeat, voice, and breathing are familiar to your baby—it’s all they’ve known! So hearing these familiar sounds again is comforting to your newborn.

3. Enhances Neurodevelopment: The sensory stimulation provided by skin-to-skin contact triggers the release of endorphins and oxytocin in your baby's brain. These neurochemicals promote feelings of calmness and contentment while facilitating brain development and strengthening neural connections, laying a foundation for cognitive and emotional resilience.

4. Boosts Immune Function: Your skin harbors a diverse array of beneficial microbes that colonize your baby's skin during skin-to-skin contact, contributing to the establishment of their microbiome—the community of microorganisms that play a vital role in immune function and protection against infections.
   

Benefits for You:

1. Promotes Maternal Bonding: The release of oxytocin, often referred to as the "bonding hormone," during skin-to-skin contact fosters feelings of affection, attachment, and maternal instinct. This deepens the emotional bond between you and your baby, promoting a sense of closeness and connection that is foundational to your relationship.

2. Regulates Hormonal Responses: Skin-to-skin contact triggers a cascade of hormonal responses in your body, including increased oxytocin production, which promotes uterine contractions, accelerates postpartum recovery, and supports lactation. Additionally, skin-to-skin contact reduces levels of stress hormones such as cortisol, promoting relaxation and well-being.

3. Facilitates Breastfeeding Success: Your baby's proximity during skin-to-skin contact enhances their instinctual feeding behaviors, such as rooting and latching onto the breast. The stimulation of your nipples and areolas during skin-to-skin contact also triggers the release of prolactin, a hormone essential for milk production, contributing to breastfeeding success and milk supply.

4. Reduces the Risk of Postpartum Depression: The emotional benefits of skin-to-skin contact extend beyond the immediate bonding experience, with research indicating that regular skin-to-skin contact in the postpartum period is associated with lower rates of postpartum depression and anxiety. This is attributed to the release of oxytocin and endorphins, which promote feelings of relaxation, contentment, and maternal confidence.
   

What if You Don’t Get Initial Skin-to-Skin With Your Baby?

Labor and birth are unpredictable, and sometimes, having your baby with you during the first hour for skin-to-skin isn’t possible. If that happens, all is not lost. It’s called the Golden Hour, but the benefits of the Golden Hour extend into the second hour of life as well, so if you have your baby with you then, you and your baby can both experience the benefits of skin-to-skin. 

If you’re unavailable to have skin-to-skin contact with your newborn during the first two hours of life and your baby isn’t in the NICU, your partner or support person can have skin-to-skin time with your newborn. Your baby will still receive many of the benefits of skin-to-skin that they would have received with you (such as temperature regulation), and your partner or support person will get bonding time until you’re available to get your own special cuddle time.

Scientifically Supported Cuddle Time

The practice of skin-to-skin contact is not only a beautiful expression of love and nurturing but also a scientifically validated method for promoting the health and well-being of both you and your baby. By embracing this intimate bonding experience, you can lay a strong foundation for your baby's development while nurturing your emotional connection to your precious little one.

Fostering unity in childbirth through compassionate care and evidence-based support.