What is skin-to-skin contact?
Skin-to-skin contact, also known as “kangaroo care” by some, is a method that involves holding a baby against your bare chest. The process resembles how preterm kangaroos crawl into their mother’s chest.
Skin-to-skin is a quite natural process that has been practiced throughout history. But the process was first formalized in Bogota, Columbia in the late 1970s. Two doctors were in search of a solution to help the premature babies they cared for. It was believed that this method could benefit babies born early or with low birth weight. Their efforts were successful, leading to a 70% decline in deaths among preemie babies within the first year.
However, it’s not just premature babies that can benefit from skin-to-skin contact. Indeed, research in the 1970s also discovered that the initial moments after birth are a critical bonding time for all babies and parents.
Now, all mothers today are encouraged to have skin-to-skin contact with their babies after birth.
What are the benefits of skin-to-skin?
Skin-to-skin contact can have many benefits, especially for premature and underweight babies. It can help in the following ways:
Bonding with your baby
The experience of skin-to-skin contact typically releases hormones like oxytocin, the body’s natural feel-good chemical. Oxytocin is often referred to as the ‘love hormone’, which can help strengthen the bond between a mother and her baby.
Breastfeeding
Placing a newborn on their mother’s chest in the moments after birth encourages them to nudge themselves towards the breasts to begin breastfeeding. Studies have found that when babies are exposed to regular skin-to-skin contact, they latch on with less difficulty and breastfeed for longer.
Calming and relaxing for baby and mom
The baby will be able to hear the mother’s heartbeat and the sound of its voice, which can help calm and relax them. Usually, a relaxed baby means a relaxed mom. Research also shows that babies who have more skin-to-skin contact don’t cry as often as babies who don’t.
Skin-to-skin contact can also help:
Regulate a baby’s heart rate and breathing
Regulate a baby’s temperate
Support healthy sleep cycles
Encourage a baby’s growth and development
Overall, skin-to-skin contact is a great way to create a nurturing and comforting environment for a little one – and dads can definitely practice this as well.
What happens during skin-to-skin?
During skin-to-skin, a parent will have direct skin contact with your baby. If the parent is doing skin-to-skin immediately after birth, the midwife will dry the baby and place it on the parent’s bare chest.
They will both be covered in a warm blanket and left for at least an hour – or until after the first feed.
The parent can lie down with the baby on their chest, so long as they don’t fall asleep.
Otherwise, the parent should sit up whilst holding the baby against their bare skin and keep them upright by placing their chest against their chest.
Skin-to-skin contact can also take place any time after birth when a baby needs comforting or soothing. Skin-to-skin isn’t just limited to mothers either. Fathers, caregivers, grandparents, and other close family and friends can also get involved.
Video: Dr Susan Ludington explores the benefits of skin-to-skin contact
Skin-to-skin for premature babies
In some cases, not all babies and mothers are healthy or stable enough for skin-to-skin right after birth. In these instances, the following alternative practices may be carried out instead:
Pumping breastmilk to feed the baby can help promote bonding and nutrition.
Providing baby with a cloth with the scent of their parent can help them identify their natural smell until skin-to-skin can be carried out.
Babies can hold their parent’s finger, which can create a sense of bonding and touch.
Dad can practice skin-to-skin also to enjoy this bonding experience and special time with their new arrival.
How long should you do skin-to-skin with a preemie?
Skin-to-skin contact is recommended for all premature babies or under-weight babies. The practice can be carried out in a healthcare facility, such as a hospital, or at home for ideally around an hour each day. It should then be continued for the next three to six months.
It is recommended that whenever possible, a mom should give skin-to-skin contact. But for whatever reason the mom is not available, fathers, partners, and other family members can step in.
Skin-to-skin FAQs
When should skin-to-skin be started with a preemie?
Skin-to-skin contact should start immediately after birth unless otherwise advised. The practice can provide multiple benefits for babies in the neonatal unit, from improving oxygen saturation to assisting with growth and development.
What happens when you don’t do skin-to-skin with a baby?
During skin-to-skin, babies can use a parent’s body heat to help them keep warm. If skin-to-skin isn’t practiced, newborns may have difficulty regulating their body temperature well. Research also suggests that babies who have more skin-to-skin contact have more stable heart rates, breathing, blood pressure, and glucose levels.
When is it too late to do skin-to-skin?
It’s never too late to practice skin-to-skin contact with a baby. Ideally, it’s recommended that skin-to-skin should take place in the first hour after birth. But the practice can be carried out whenever a baby needs comforting or soothing. There is no specific age throughout a baby’s first year when you should stop skin-to-skin.
What is the golden hour of skin-to-skin?
The first 60 minutes after birth is sometimes referred to as the ‘golden hour’ for parent and baby bonding. Research suggests that skin-to-skin is crucial during the golden hour, as it provides a range of health benefits and opens a special window for baby and parent to bond.
How we wrote this guide
The information in this article is based on expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources such as the WHO and the Cleveland Clinic. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.
