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