Skin to skin

Skin-to-skin contact means that the baby lies naked (apart from the nappy and possibly a baby hat) against the bare skin of a parent or other caregiver. Skin-to-skin contact almost magically has enormous benefits for small babies and today it is even used as a medical method to care for premature babies. It is also one of the most effective ways to prevent infant mortality. A study coordinated by the WHO in low- and middle-income countries found that it reduced mortality by as much as 25% in babies with very low birth weight.

Benefits of skin-to-skin

Although not always a matter of life or death, skin-to-skin has a huge number of benefits – including for parents, and it is now standard practice for newborn babies to be placed with their mother immediately after birth. If the mother is unable to or needs care immediately after the birth, the baby will be placed skin-to-skin with the other parent (or other accompanying person). The reason for this is simple, there are lots of benefits:

• Skin-to-skin contact after birth makes the transition to the world outside the womb a little less traumatic for the baby, and both breathing and heart rhythm are more stable.
• It also releases oxytocin, known as the body’s calming hormone. It makes both the baby and parent calmer and happier – try body contact if your baby is crying, having trouble sleeping, or if you feel sad. It often has a very positive effect.
• Skin-to-skin also stimulates baby’s growth, healing and has a pain-relieving effect.
• Skin-to-skin helps the baby to maintain their body temperature, and is used as a medical procedure for premature babies.
• The bacterial flora on the parent’s skin is transferred to the baby if it is allowed to lie skin-to-skin, which strengthens the baby’s immune system.
• If the baby is placed skin-to-skin with the mother, it is usually easier to get started with breastfeeding. The scent of the mother’s skin and breast milk also stimulates the baby’s breastfeeding reflex, and it is also easier to recognise that the baby wants to suckle if the mother is close by. The instinct is incredibly strong in these tiny beings – if you put the newborn baby on the mother’s stomach, it can often find its own way to the breast.
• It is an incredibly cosy moment! If, for some reason, you didn’t get the first skin-to-skin contact, all is not lost – you can make up for it as soon as you can be together again. Your baby won’t get tired of being held skin-to-skin anytime soon!

How often and how long can you keep your baby skin-to-skin?

You can hold your baby skin-to-skin as much and as often as you like. For those who are breastfeeding, it is also very handy as the food is basically already served. It also makes it easier to recognise your baby’s signals when they want to eat. The thing to remember, however, is to stay awake yourself – as cosy and soothing as it is to have such close skin contact. Your baby can sleep at your breast if you stay awake yourself. Make sure you keep their face and airways clear – and be aware of the temperature: make sure you have a blanket over you so your baby – and you – don’t get cold.

Once you’ve established the habit of holding your baby skin-to-skin, it can become a favourite activity for a small baby, and perhaps also for those with whom the baby is bonding. There are really no rules about how long you can keep your baby skin-to-skin, as long as you both enjoy it.

Please note that all information above is based on Swedish recommendations.