Skin-to-Skin Contact: Good for Babies and Parents

In the 1970s, two doctors in Bogota, Columbia stumbled upon a natural practice to comfort and care for babies that later became a standard recommendation across the world.

Through a conversation with a wet nurse in a Colombian village, Edgar Rey Sanabria, MD, and Hector Martinez-Gomez, MD, discovered the benefits of skin-to-skin contact on babies born preterm. The doctors began promoting the practice to mothers in their care and saw a significant drop in deaths of preterm babies the following year. At the same time, U.S. researchers began discovering the many benefits to skin-to-skin contact, also known as kangaroo care.

Now a standard recommendation across the globe, the practice of skin-to-skin contact involves placing a naked or partially clothed newborn baby on their parent’s bare chest immediately after birth and frequently in the first weeks of life. As the region’s only Baby-Friendly Hospital, at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH), all families in our Women’s Pavilion are encouraged to practice skin-to-skin contact, whether they are in our Labor and Delivery, Family Care Unit or our Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs).

Skin-to-skin is a valuable practice to promote the physical and emotional well-being of your little one. It fosters a strong connection between babies and parents.

There are some differences in how skin-to-skin is practiced in the NICUs and in our Labor and Delivery and Family Care Units.

Skin-to-Skin After Delivery

At TMH, skin-to-skin contact is initiated almost immediately or in the first hour of life if the baby has no medical complications. The duration can vary, but it’s usually encouraged for as long as both baby and their parent are comfortable – and both mom and dad are encouraged to participate. Skin-to-skin contact is encouraged throughout a family’s stay in the Family Care Unit.

Kangaroo Care in the NICU

Skin-to-skin is often referred to as kangaroo care in the NICU. It got its name due to its similarity to how kangaroos care for their newborns in their pouches. The baby stays in the pouch for many months until they’re old enough to search for food on their own.

When a baby needs NICU care, kangaroo care may be delayed based on the baby’s condition. Our NICU care team works with parents to determine when the practice is appropriate.

Our NICU team also works with parents to determine the duration of kangaroo care based on the baby’s needs and condition. Kangaroo time should last at least an hour per session and can increase as the baby grows and becomes more stable. Because NICU parents have limited time with their babies, kangaroo care is highly encouraged to increase bonding.

Skin-to-skin contact is a simple and effective practice that offers numerous benefits for both parents and babies.

Benefits for Baby

• Reduced crying and agitation: Babies’ cortisol (stress hormone) levels are measurably lower after 20 minutes of skin-to-skin contact, promoting a sense of security and well-being.

• Accelerated brain development: Spending more time in “quiet sleep” has been shown to enhance organization patterns in the brain and decrease babies’ stress response.

• Touch is powerful: Your baby will hear your heartbeat, recognize your smell and feel safe.

• Temperature regulation: Newborns are not as efficient at regulating their body temperature as adults are. Skin-to-skin contact helps regulate and maintain your baby’s temperature – keeping them warm and allowing them to use less of their energy.

• Breastfeeding: Practicing skin-to-skin encourages early breastfeeding and helps your baby to latch more easily.

• Sleep quality: Skin-to-skin improves your baby’s sleep quality and can help them have a more regulated sleep schedule.

• Breathing and heart rate: When a baby is close to their parent’s chest, their heart rate and breathing patterns are regulated and become more stable.

• Pain relief: Babies who do skin-to-skin contact during painful medical procedures, like vaccines or blood tests, often show reduced pain responses.

• Weight gain and growth: Babies who receive skin-to-skin contact tend to gain weight more rapidly because the physical contact and comfort they experience stimulates their appetite and encourages feeding.

• Improved cognitive development: Some studies suggest skin-to-skin contact can have long-term benefits for baby’s cognitive development and brain function. The secure attachment that is formed between baby and parents can contribute to better emotional and cognitive outcomes.

Benefits for Parents

Skin-to-skin is not only beneficial for babies – it has benefits for parents too.

For Mom

• Mental Health: Reduced risk of postpartum depression

• Breastfeeding: Boosts milk production

• Pain and Stress Relief: Releases oxytocin, which in return, helps with pain tolerance and reducing both your blood pressure and stress levels

For Dad

• Nervousness: Helps calm your nerves

• Get to Know Your Baby: Helps you learn your baby’s cues, like when he/she is hungry or tired

For All Caregivers

• Bonding: Skin-to-skin contact enhances the emotional connection between parents and babies and helps parents feel more attached to their little one.

• Reduced Stress: Holding a baby skin-to-skin decreases stress hormones in parents and increases oxytocin, a hormone that is associated with bonding and relaxation.

• Increased Confidence: Parents often feel more competent and capable of caring for their little one when they regularly engage in skin-to-skin contact. The practice provides immediate feedback and cues from the baby.

• Parental-Infant Interaction: Skin-to-skin contact fosters positive interaction and communication between parents and their newborns.

Skin-to-skin contact doesn’t have to be limited to moms and dads. It can be done with any primary caregiver – including adoptive parents or other family members. It’s a natural way to support a baby’s well-being and development while also encouraging bonding.

Practicing skin-to-skin contact not only contributes to the physical well-being of the baby but also helps establish a strong emotional bond between parents and babies. This bond is essential for healthy development and the overall well-being of both.

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