advice
Baby Soft
The benefits of skin-toskin contact with your newborn baby are plenty , including less crying – 10 times less !
Skin-to-skin contact , also known as kangaroo care , refers to placing a baby on their front in contact with the mother ’ s chest . Skin-to-skin contact should ideally start at birth but is helpful at any time . All mothers and babies can benefit from skin-to-skin contact , regardless of the feeding method . Fathers can also provide skin‐to‐skin contact .
Babies who are separated from their mothers experience profound stress ; studies have shown that babies who are removed from their mothers in the hospital cry 10 times more than those left skin-to-skin . Immediate skinto-skin contact after birth creates a unique bonding and can protect infants against infection through exposure to the mother ’ s microflora . It also plays an important role in the prevention of allergic diseases for the babies .
Skin-to-skin contact should be uninterrupted and unhurried , allowing the baby to progress through the steps of attachment . The baby can wear a nappy and hat for comfort and warmth .
Studies have shown that babies who are removed from their mothers in the hospital cry 10 times more than those left skin to skin
Benefits of skin-to-skin contact For baby
• More stable and normal skin temperature
• More stable and normal heart rate and blood pressure
• Maintain blood sugar level
• Feel less pain during painful medical procedure
• Less likely to cry
• Less likely to have breastfeeding problems
• More likely to latch on well
• Are more likely to breastfeed exclusively longer
• Protection against infection through exposure to maternal microflora
• Help prevent allergic diseases
For mum
• Calming effect
• Enhanced bonding
• Higher oxytocin levels to stimulate milk production
• Better milk flow
• Increased milk production
It is good to highlight in your birthplan that you would like skin-toskin contact with your baby as soon as possible after birth – be it a vaginal delivery or a caesarean section – if conditions allow .
Prepared by the Maternity Department at the Matilda International Hospital . www . matilda . org
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