There are so many benefits when it comes to skin to skin contact and the biggest one is that it helps encourage breast milk production. Skin to skin isn’t only good for breastfeeding babies but it is also helpful for formula fed babies as well. 

Skin to skin can calm you and baby. From personal experience snuggling my baby always made me feel more relaxed and more at ease, especially right after birth everything can feel extremely overwhelming. There are so many other amazing benefits to skin to skin. 

Skin to skin releases hormones to stabilize the baby's temperature, heart rate and blood pressure.

 How amazing is that! Something such as skin to skin snuggling with your new baby can release hormones to help your baby grow and function at a healthier rate.

Baby feels comfortable as do you. 

Think about your baby especially after coming into the world it is cold, they are instantly hungry, it’s bright and they feel uncomfortable. They were removed from the only home they knew and now they are exposed to a whole new one and they are relying on you to make it safe and comfortable for them. Snuggle them. Turn the lights down and get that skin to skin contact going make baby know you are  a safe warm place for them.

Mom starts to feel better too

I have been in multiple situations where I felt like I was going to completely lose it after giving birth. I was anxious, I couldn’t move due to surgery,  my body was aching and I wasn’t able to tend to my baby on my own. I was feeling things. But everytime I would feel anxious and like I was going to tip over my nurse would recommend skin to skin to calm me down, and it has always worked. My sweet healthy baby resting with me made me feel like nothing else mattered and my mood instantly changed. 

It is easy to want to snuggle with baby and possibly take a nap, especially when you are both relaxed and you feel safe. But there are many factors to take into consideration when it comes to skin to skin contact. 

I get it, it’s warm and comfortable and you are both feeling safe and warm but unfortunately sleeping when baby is sleeping on you has many risks that come with it. Make sure you are alert when engaging in skin to skin contact and make sure other people who are snuggling with your little one do the same. Use pillows behind your back to prop you up, dress baby warmly so you don’t need to use blankets as the blanket can block the airway. Let family and friends know how you feel about skin to skin and how important it is to you and your postpartum experience. Make sure everyone is on board and supports you. That first hour post delivery is key for mother and baby and even the partner. That first hour is for bonding and connection and it has always been recommended that mom and baby have at least one hour post delivery for skin to skin contact. 

Congratulations on  your new addition. Now go snuggle!