Skin-to-Skin
Nursing Your BEST
Skin-to-Skin
Skin-to-skin time is when a baby snuggles on a parents bare chest. Skin-to-skin is good for all babies, whether they are breastfed or formula fed. Skin-to-skin helps parents and baby get off to a good start with breastfeeding.
The Sacred Hour
The first hour after delivery is call the Sacred Hour. It is a special bonding time that begins when your baby is placed skin-to-skin on your chest right after birth. Your heart will calm your baby and your baby will smell your milk. You should keep doing skin-to-skin time with no interruptions until your baby finishes their first feeding.
*Baby should take no longer than 80 mintues to find your breast and begin feeding. Be patient.
Simple, but Powerful!
Safe Practices of Skin-to-Skin
When you are having skin-to-skin time, you always want to make sure baby can breathe. You don’t want baby’s neck too far forward, and baby’s mouth and nose should always be uncovered.
- Sit or lay slightly upright, in a comfortable position. Avoid falling asleep.
- Turn your baby’s face to one side in a position that allows baby to breath easily.
- Make sure you can see your baby’s nose and mouth.
- Place a blanket over baby’s back to keep warm.
Benefits of Skin-to-Skin
Skin-to-skin has many benefits, particuarlly for babies born preterm or at low birth weight.
- Stabalize your baby’s heart rate.
- Improve your baby’s breathing pattern.
- Bond with your baby.
- Establish breastfeeding and increases your milk supply.
Planning for Skin-to-Skin
Make skin-to-skin part of your birth plan. Choose a care provider and birth place that will support skin-to-skin time during the sacred hour.
- If giving birth in a hospital, ask if they offer skin-to-skin after any type of delivery.
- Let family and friends know about your plans. Tell them whenever you need privacy for skin-to-skin time, whether at birth place or at home.
- There’s no specific age when skin-to-skin should stop. It provides powerful benefits for the baby the entire time.