The Power of Skin-To-Skin Contact for New Parents & Newborns

Skin-To-Skin Contact

We’re excited to discuss the transformative practice of skin-to-skin contact in newborn care. At Bay City Doulas, we are advocates for fostering strong parent-infant connections. Today, we are excited to delve deeper into this intimate interaction’s myriad benefits and practical aspects. Whether you’re a new parent or preparing for the arrival of your little one, it is crucial to understand the science and significance of skin-to-skin contact. Join us as we explore its profound impact on bonding, emotional development, and overall well-being.

The Importance of Skin-to-Skin Contact

Skin-to-skin contact, often called kangaroo care, involves placing a newborn baby directly on the parent’s bare chest, promoting physical closeness and emotional intimacy. This practice isn’t just about warmth and comfort. It’s a powerful tool for establishing a solid foundation for the parent-infant relationship. The immediate contact following birth is particularly crucial, as it sets the stage for a nurturing bond to flourish in the early days and weeks of life.


Numerous studies have shown the significant benefits of skin-to-skin contact for both parents and babies. It is a cornerstone of optimal newborn care, from regulating the baby’s body temperature and stabilizing vital signs to promoting breastfeeding success and reducing stress hormones. One of the key mechanisms behind these benefits is the release of oxytocin, often referred to as the “love hormone,” which promotes feelings of affection, trust, and attachment between parent and child.

Skin-To-Skin: A Daily Routine

Incorporating skin-to-skin contact into your daily routine doesn’t have to be complicated. Start by initiating contact immediately after birth, allowing for uninterrupted time for bonding in the golden hour following delivery. Create a comfortable environment free from distractions, with dim lighting and soothing sounds to enhance relaxation for both parent and baby. Encourage frequent skin-to-skin sessions throughout the day, whether during feeding, napping, or simply cuddling together.


The moments following birth are precious and irreplaceable, laying the foundation for a lifetime of love and connection between parent and child. We encourage you to advocate for your preferences regarding skin-to-skin contact in your birthing environment. It is important to prioritize bonding over routine medical procedures to get uninterrupted skin-to-skin time with your baby.

Oxytocin’s Role in Bonding

Oxytocin plays a pivotal role in bonding, facilitating the development of a strong emotional connection between parents and their newborns. This hormone is released during moments of intimacy, such as skin-to-skin contact. Oxytocin is linked to feelings of warmth, empathy, and maternal instincts. For premature babies and infants with special needs, who may face additional challenges in establishing bonds due to medical interventions or extended hospital stays, the calming effects of oxytocin can be particularly beneficial in promoting emotional resilience and attachment.

Psychological and Emotional Benefits

In addition to the physical advantages, skin-to-skin contact offers many psychological and emotional benefits for both parents and newborns. For parents, feeling their baby’s warmth and heartbeat can evoke profound feelings of joy, pride, and fulfillment. This intimate connection fosters a sense of confidence and competence in caregiving, strengthening the parent-infant bond.

For newborns, the security and comfort provided by skin-to-skin contact promote a sense of safety and well-being. Research suggests that babies who experience frequent skin-to-skin contact are likelier to exhibit calm and contented behavior. It also reduces crying, and improves sleep patterns. These positive experiences contribute to developing a secure attachment between parent and child, which serves as a foundation for healthy emotional development and social relationships later in life.

Health Benefits for Premature Babies

Premature babies, born before 37 weeks gestation, often face unique challenges related to their early arrival. Skin-to-skin contact is particularly beneficial for these fragile infants. It offers a range of health advantages that can improve outcomes and promote growth and development.

One significant benefit of skin-to-skin contact for premature babies is its ability to regulate body temperature. Preterm infants have underdeveloped regulatory systems, making them more susceptible to fluctuations in temperature. Placing them skin-to-skin with a parent helps to stabilize their body temperature, reducing the risk of hypothermia and supporting overall physiological stability.

Additionally, this type of contact promotes weight gain in premature infants. The close contact with the parent’s body provides a nurturing environment. This encourages feeding and enhances the baby’s ability to regulate feeding cues. This can be especially important for preterm babies who may struggle with breastfeeding or bottle feeding initially.

Furthermore, skin-to-skin contact has improved respiratory outcomes in premature infants. The calming effects of being held close to a parent’s chest regulate breathing patterns and reduce episodes of apnea or bradycardia, common challenges faced by preterm infants.

Overall, the health benefits of skin-to-skin contact for premature babies are numerous and significant, highlighting the importance of this practice in the care of preterm infants.

Benefits for Babies with Special Needs

In addition to premature infants, skin-to-skin contact can be especially beneficial for babies with special needs or medical conditions. Infants born with congenital abnormalities, genetic disorders, or those requiring prolonged hospitalization may experience heightened stress and anxiety. Skin-to-skin contact offers these vulnerable babies security and comfort, promoting relaxation and reducing physiological stress responses.


For babies with neurological impairments or developmental delays, skin-to-skin contact can stimulate sensory integration and promote motor development. The gentle pressure and tactile stimulation the parent’s touch provides can help improve muscle tone, coordination, and overall sensory awareness. Additionally, the emotional connection forged through skin-to-skin contact can enhance the parent-child bond and support the infant’s emotional well-being.


Furthermore, babies undergoing medical procedures or treatments may find solace in the soothing embrace of skin-to-skin contact. The presence of a familiar caregiver during stressful or painful procedures can help alleviate anxiety and provide a sense of comfort and security. Healthcare providers often encourage parents to use skin-to-skin contact before, during, and after medical interventions to promote the infant’s emotional resilience and facilitate recovery.

Promoting Breastfeeding Success

Skin-to-skin contact is closely associated with successful breastfeeding initiation and establishment. Placing a newborn skin-to-skin with the mother immediately after birth, triggers a cascade of hormonal responses that facilitate breastfeeding. The release of oxytocin stimulates uterine contractions, helping to expel the placenta and reduce postpartum bleeding. Simultaneously, prolactin levels rise, signaling the body to produce milk.


The proximity of mother and baby during enhances the baby’s ability to locate the breast and initiate breastfeeding independently. Babies placed skin-to-skin shortly after birth have been shown to exhibit increased rooting and sucking behaviors. This leads to earlier and more effective breastfeeding sessions. The early establishment of breastfeeding provides essential nutrition for the baby and promotes bonding and emotional closeness between mother and child.

Supporting Mental Health for Parents

Skin-to-skin contact offers numerous mental health benefits for parents, particularly mothers, during the postpartum period. The release of oxytocin contributes to feelings of relaxation, happiness, and maternal bonding. These positive emotions help mitigate feelings of anxiety, depression, and stress that are common in the early postpartum period.


Furthermore, holding their baby close and engaging in skin-to-skin contact reinforces a mother’s confidence and competence in caregiving. The physical closeness and emotional connection provides mothers with reassurance and validation, affirming their role as nurturers and caregivers.


For fathers and other non-birthing parents, skin-to-skin contact offers an opportunity to bond with their baby and actively participate in caregiving activities. It promotes closeness and connection, strengthening the parent-infant relationship. It is also important in fostering a sense of shared responsibility in caring for their newborn.

Practical Considerations for Skin-to-Skin Contact

Practical considerations should be kept in mind when incorporating this practice into daily routines. Parents should ensure they and their baby are comfortable and adequately supported during skin-to-skin sessions. Using pillows or cushions to provide additional support can help prevent discomfort and promote relaxation.

Dress the baby appropriately for skin-to-skin contact, choosing clothing that allows easy access to the chest and promotes thermal regulation. Lightweight and breathable fabrics are ideal, as they help prevent overheating while maintaining warmth and comfort for the baby.

What can you do in cases where the mother cannot engage in skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth due to medical reasons or cesarean delivery? Other caregivers, such as the baby’s father or a support person, can provide skin-to-skin contact. The benefits of skin-to-skin contact extend beyond the biological mother-infant dyad, encompassing all primary caregivers involved in the infant’s care.

We encourage all families to embrace the practice of skin-to-skin contact from the moment of birth and throughout the early weeks and months of infancy. By prioritizing physical closeness, emotional connection, and nurturing touch, we can lay the foundation for a lifetime of love, security, and mutual affection between parent and child.

Thank you for reading this week’s post, ”The Power of Skin-To-Skin Contact for New Parents & Newborns.” For more tips and tricks on all things pregnancy, postpartum, and parenthood visit our weekly blog.