The benefits of skin-to-skin for infants, parents and families are numerous, says Dr. Jenelle Ferry, neonatologist at Pediatrix Neonatology in Tampa, Florida. Maybe the best thing about skin-to-skin contact? Its advantages are experienced by all caretakers of the baby, not just birthing parents.
“While benefits of breastfeeding can only apply to one parent, the benefits of parental bonding can extend to all caregivers,” Jenelle says. “Further, the infant experiences benefits with all skin-to-skin care, and studies have suggested a sort of dose response, meaning more skin-to-skin time results in increased benefits.”
There are many studies that outline why skin-to-skin contact is important. The benefits of skin-to-skin apply to parents (moms and dads), grandparents, nannies and really anyone who spends time with the baby. Let’s take a look at some of the many benefits of engaging in skin-to -skin with baby.
First, what exactly is skin-to-skin contact?
Spending time skin-to-skin with newborns — sometimes referred to as “kangaroo care” — is where the infant is stripped down to their diaper, and then held against a caretaker’s bare skin. Experts agree that skin-to-skin time is a wonderful way to ensure that your baby has a healthy start in life.
A note about bonding with parents and other caregivers
According to Ferry, the more skin-to-skin time, the better, and anyone close to your baby can do skin-to-skin contact with them. “You can’t spoil a newborn, and especially in the first few weeks of life, there’s no such thing as too much human contact for a new baby,” Ferry says.
Still, some parents may be concerned that a nanny or grandparent might bond too much with their baby during skin-to-skin time. Ferry says not to worry about this happening. Babies are able to recognize their distinctive parents’ scents and will form unique bonds with their parents.
Here’s 16 benefits of skin-to-skin
Bonding and emotional benefits of skin-to-skin
“For parents and caregivers, skin-to-skin can support bonding,” says Ellen Smead, certified nurse-midwife at Northside Women’s Specialists, part of Pediatrix Medical Group in Atlanta.
Here’s what to know:
- Skin-to-skin contact increases oxytocin levels (a hormone often referred to as the “feel good” hormone), which is thought to aid in bonding.
- Holding a baby skin-to-skin has been shown to strengthen the caregiver-infant relationship.
Physical benefits for baby
“Immediate skin-to-skin after delivery is shown to help ease the infant’s transition to life outside the womb,” says Dr. Ashley Farge, a pediatrician at Children’s Hospital New Orleans.
Specific health benefits of skin-to-skin for infants are numerous and include:
- Helps temperature regulation after birth.
- Aids in digestion.
- Helps populate a healthy bacterial balance in baby’s mouth and gut.
- Stabilizes blood sugar and heart rate.
- Increases breastfeeding initiation rates.
- Enhances baby’s sucking ability.
Psychological benefits for baby
Skin-to-skin benefits for babies aren’t just physical; they are cognitive and emotional as well. Skin-to-skin contact “provides security to newborns who have spent months inside a warm environment close to their mother’s or gestational carrier’s beating heart,” says Smead.
Some of these more psychological benefits of skin-to-skin contact include:
Skin-to-skin benefits for parents
We usually think of skin-to-skin as benefiting babies primarily, but it can have positive effects on parents, particularly in the realm of mental health. Laura Chesmer, a mom of two from Rochester, Kent, U.K., shared that after her daughter was hospitalized with a scary medical emergency at two weeks old, skin-to-skin contact was the antidote to the paralyzing anxiety she was experiencing.
“It would help to regulate my breathing when I was hyperventilating and steady my heart when I was having palpitations,” says Chesmer. “It would really help me to calm down and focus on the present — that both my daughter and I were both OK at that very moment.”
Other powerful skin-to-skin benefits specific to parents are:
- Easier post-birth recovery, including more successful placenta delivery and less postpartum bleeding.
- Enhances breastfeeding success and milk production.
- Reduces stress and anxiety.
- Decreases risk of postpartum depression in parents.
How to incorporate skin-to-skin contact into daily caregiving routines
Dr. Nicole Birge, neonatologist and medical director of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, shared some tips for how to incorporate skin-to-skin time in your daily routines:
- Pick a time of day when you can sit with baby, distraction-free (no cell phone or social media).
- Choose a shirt that allows your chest area to be accessible.
- Avoid smoking or strong smelling perfumes; use the bathroom before settling in with baby.
- As for how long to do skin-to-skin, researchers are still trying to determine the “right” amount of time, but Birge recommends setting aside at least an hour when possible.
It’s also important to keep in mind that skin-to-skin time doesn’t always have to look like a deliberate activity. You can do skin-to-skin while going about your daily business: the key is wearing your baby in a baby carrier.
“These are all things that can get a little lost in the shuffle when a newborn arrives,” Smead suggests. “But using a newborn wrap or sling carrier can work for both babies and parents.” You can baby wear skin-to-skin while tidying the house, folding laundry or doing light cooking, Smead says.
Getting partners and caregivers involved
One of the incredible things about skin-to-skin contact is that babies can benefit from it no matter who’s doing it. Still, at first, it might be a tough sell to ask partners or other postpartum caretakers to partake in the activity.
Smead likes to frame it as a way for partners and helpers to offer birthing parents a break and a chance to focus on self-care for a little while. “Partners and caregivers can provide this same benefit to newborns,” she explains, “while allowing moms or primary caregivers time to shower or squeeze in a needed and much-appreciated nap.”
It’s also a great way for other caretakers to bond with the baby. “Not only does this allow the primary caregiver or parent to rest,” Smead adds, “it gives babies time to bond and become familiar with other adults in their lives who can provide warmth, safety and protection.”
What to do if you can’t do skin-to-skin right after birth
There is research pointing to the fact that spending time skin-to-skin with babies in the first hour after birth has the most benefits. But the reality is that sometimes babies or birthing parents need medical attention after delivery and skin-to-skin isn’t possible.
Amanda Hoffman, a mother of two from Phoenix, knows this reality all too well. Her son was born 14 weeks premature and was not stable enough to be held until he was five days old. “We obviously missed out on the benefits of skin-to-skin right after birth,” she shares, “but once he was stable enough to be held, we practiced ‘kangaroo care’ every day until he was finally able to come home three months later.”
Skin-to-skin not only helped with bonding, but it had real-life implications for her son’s health. “His breathing and heart rate would regulate when he was on me,” Hoffman says, “and his nurses were often able to turn down his oxygen support during this time.”
She adds that when she wasn’t able to be with her son, her husband spent skin-to-skin time with him, which had its own unique benefits. “Once my husband got over his initial fear of holding such a tiny baby, he began doing so more often,” she says, “and I think it boosted his confidence level in caring for our son.”
Ferry emphasizes that the benefits of skin-to-skin contact are strong, even when skin-to-skin can’t happen right away. This is especially true for babies like Hoffman’s. “When possible, for even the tiniest of babies, goals for first holding can be a part of the care plan.”
Common questions about skin-to-skin contact
What is skin-to-skin contact and why is it beneficial for my baby and me?
Skin-to-skin contact, also known as “kangaroo care”, is the act of holding an infant against a caretaker’s bare skin, typically stripped down to their diaper. This has numerous benefits for both the baby and the caretaker. For babies, it aids in temperature regulation and digestion and stabilizes their heart rate and blood sugar. Skin-to-skin contact with babies also supports emotional bonding and cognitive development. For caretakers, it promotes post-birth recovery, reduces stress and anxiety and can even decrease the risk of postpartum depression.
Can caretakers beyond the parents practice skin-to-skin contact with the baby?
Absolutely! The benefits of skin-to-skin contact can extend to all caregivers, including grandparents, nannies and other close family or friends. This practice can help the baby bond with other important figures in their life and provides a break for the primary caregiver.
If skin-to-skin contact isn’t possible immediately after birth, is it still beneficial later?
While skin-to-skin contact with a newborn in the first hour after birth can provide significant benefits, it’s important to remember that skin-to-skin contact with the baby at any point is still beneficial. Even for premature babies or those who need medical support, skin-to-skin contact can be included in the care plan when appropriate and can still provide numerous benefits.
