The Magic Hour
Skin-to-Skin
A healthy newborn baby should be held skin-to-skin by their mother immediately at birth . They should not be separated from each other for at least the first hour and until after the first breastfeeding . Holding newborns skin-to-skin ( also called kangaroo care ) is recommended by all major health organizations . There are many benefits of skinto-skin time :
• Keeps baby warm .
• Stabilizes baby ’ s breathing .
• Stabilizes baby ’ s heart rate .
• Offers comfort .
• Helps start bonding .
• Gets breastfeeding off to a good start .
The medical team will evaluate baby ’ s health after they are born to ensure they are doing well with their transition . This may include listening to baby ’ s heart and lungs , checking respiration , and taking their temperature . If there are no major concerns , monitoring can be done with baby on your chest . Getting a weight and other nonessential procedures should be delayed until after the first hour and first breastfeeding . You and your baby continue to benefit from skin-to-skin time for the first few weeks . Your partner can also spend time skin-to-skin with your baby .
The First Breastfeeding
Healthy , full-term newborns use their senses and reflexes to find and latch on to their mother ’ s nipple . This is called self-attachment ( also called baby-led breastfeeding or the breast crawl ). Usually within the first hour after birth , babies use their sense of smell to locate the areola ( darker circle around the nipple ). The areola gives off a substance that smells similar to amniotic fluid . This scent — along with its darker shade — helps newborns locate the nipple . Baby will move and scoot into position and latch onto the breast . To get off to a great start , follow your baby ’ s lead and support their neck and head while they get into position .
Sometimes circumstances make it impossible to hold your baby skin-to-skin immediately after birth . It is important to prioritize skin-to-skin time as soon as possible . If baby is born by cesarean , request skin-to-skin as repairs are done . If possible , your partner can hold baby skin-to-skin until you are able . If you will not be breastfeeding , please note that skin-toskin time is still important and beneficial for you and your baby .
4 Newborn Health