How Skin to Skin Works
HOW SKIN-TO-SKIN WORKS?
Chest-to-chest contact between provider and baby is crucial when practicing skin-to-skin.
Over 40 years of research has proven that in the early months of life,
Skin-to-Skin contact, also referred to as Kangaroo Care,
creates remarkable benefits for you and your baby.
The outer layer of our skin, over the front of our chest,
is especially sensitive and powerful.
It’s packed with nerve fibers that release hormones which
ELIMINATE stress responses in the brain and body.
Positioning your baby on your bare chest for an uninterrupted 60 minutes,
triggers a hormonal cascade that delivers the following advantages:
~ For Baby ~
Accelerates BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
Calms..Soothes REDUCES CRYING/STRESS
Regulates BODY TEMPERATURE
Improves QUALITY OF SLEEP
Enhances IMMUNE SYSTEM
Stimulates DIGESTION & WEIGHT GAIN
Synchronizes HEART RATE & BREATHING
Encourages BREASTFEEDING BEHAVIOR
~ For Mom ~
Reduces risk of POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION
Increases MILK PRODUCTION
Speeds RECOVERY TIME
Promotes PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL BEING
How to properly position mom and baby for Skin-to-Skin contact
GO TOPLESS
Mom should be completely topless (not even a bra), semi-reclined, with baby wearing only diaper.
CHEST TO CHEST
Place baby in a vertical position directly against your bare chest, with their shoulders resting on or above your breasts.
Baby’s head should be turned to one side with their neck straight, not flexed or extended.
Make sure baby’s nose and mouth remain uncovered and you can see their face at all times.