During pregnancy, babies are as close to their moms as they can be—getting warmth, food, protection, and oxygen from their mother’s body. When babies are held naked against their mother’s skin, it is the closest they can get to being back in the warmth and security of the womb.
Skin-to-skin contact means your full-term, healthy baby is placed belly-down, directly on your chest, right after birth. Your care provider dries your baby off, puts a hat on him or her, and gets your baby settled on your chest. The first hours of snuggling skin-to-skin let you and your baby get to know each other.
1. Cuddles Are Calming
• Holding babies skin-to-skin makes them feel calm and safe. Just 10 minutes of cuddling lowers babies' stress!
2. Babies Sleep Better
• Less stress means more sleep. Babies held skin-to-skin sleep more deeply and wake up less frequently.
3. Breastfeeding is Easier
• Skin-to-skin contact helps newborn babies begin breastfeeding. Plus, kangaroo care can boost mom's milk production.
4. Postpartum Depression Risk Decreases
• Skin-to-skin contact reduces anxiety for moms, too. Less anxiety and stress can lower the risk of postpartum depression.
5. It's Great Dad-Time
• Father-child snuggling calms babies and skin-to-skin time with dad helps them bond.
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