Early Skin-to-Skin Contact

For the past nine months, you’ve been your baby's home — their source of warmth, nourishment and comfort. The best way to continue that connection is through skin-to-skin contact.

What Is Skin-to-Skin Contact?

Skin-to-skin means gently placing your baby, bare-skinned, right on your chest after birth — a simple yet powerful way to begin your journey together. This quiet closeness offers incredible benefits for both you and your baby, helping you bond and feel calm and connected.

Most routine checks and procedures can wait or even be done while your baby rests safely in your arms, right where they belong. 

Benefits of Skin-to-Skin

This close contact offers many advantages — here are some of the most important ones. 

Better breastfeeding: Babies often move to the nipple and latch on their own. This helps with milk production and can lead to better weight gain and longer breastfeeding.

Happier baby: Your baby is calmer, cries less and feels comforted. Skin-to-skin also provides pain relief during procedures.

Happier mother: It helps lower your stress hormones and strengthens the bond with your baby.

Healthier baby: Your baby’s temperature, heart rate and blood sugar stabilize better. Oxygen levels are highest during skin-to-skin contact.

Healthier mother: The baby’s movements stimulate hormones that help your uterus contract, reducing bleeding. 

Why You Should Keep It Up

Even after the first time, continue to place your baby skin-to-skin. It helps calm a fussy baby and stimulates a sleepy baby to nurse. This practice keeps your baby warm and comforted, making breastfeeding a successful and enjoyable experience.

Enjoy these precious moments with your little one! 

Download our Skin-to-Skin Contact and Rooming In PDF.