Skin-to-Skin After Birth
Updated May 11, 2013.
During pregnancy, as you begin to plan and prepare for the birth of your baby, you may hear the term “skin-to-skin” contact (SSC). The name seems quite obvious and, while it sounds nice, does it really matter? What really is SSC and why is it important?
As its name implies, “skin-to-skin” refers to laying a baby with his stomach down (prone position) against the front-side of his (preferably) mother, neither with clothes between them.
A blanket is placed on the outside of the baby and the baby may be wearing a diaper and/or a hat. It has many advantages throughout the days and weeks following birth, especially regarding breastfeeding, but some very specific benefits immediately following delivery.
One of the 10 steps for a birthing hospital to receive BFHI status (Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative by the World Health Organization) is to help mothers initiate SSC with their babies following birth. Ideally this would happen immediately, but, if this is not possible, the sooner the better. The first 1 ½ - 2 hours following birth is critical. During this time a baby is working to regulate his body temperature outside his mother’s womb; stabilize his heart rate, serum cortisol and blood glucose levels; and bond with his mother through each of his senses which stimulates his innate ability to suckle at the breast. SSC positively impacts each of these. In fact, babies’ body temperatures are better regulated in SSC than in an incubator; heart rates are more stabilized; cortisol and blood glucose levels are more normalized; and there are greater chances for breastfeeding success .
. . not to mention the precious time of cuddling and bonding with your new baby. For mothers, SSC not only helps to regulate her body temperature, but heightens oxytocin levels and milk volume, promotes bonding with her baby, and increases confidence in her mothering ability. Babies who are placed in SSC following birth for an hour are more than eight times more likely to spontaneously breastfeed than those who are not.
SSC is extremely beneficial for all babies – both full-term and premature. SSC was actually first used in Colombia in the early 1980s for pre-term babies. Compared to babies cared for in environments with greater technology, the babies receiving skin-to-skin contact each day fared much better. Research on SSC and twins found that each breast uniquely regulated its temperature depending on what each baby needed. If one baby was too cool, the breast temperature on that side would increase; if the other baby was too hot, that breast would decrease in temperature. SSC after birth has also been shown to significantly increase the survival rate of babies who are born with very low birth weights.
In addition to its many positive benefits immediately following birth, SSC continues to have a positive impact on breastfeeding in the early weeks and months with your new baby. SSC promotes bonding between mother and baby, helps baby to latch, increases a mother’s milk supply, and can even help a baby who is refusing the breast to begin to nurse. The benefits of SSC are increased, the longer and/or more frequently a baby is held this way. In the Cochrane Summary (cited below) researchers found that babies were even possibly more likely to have a positive and strong relationship with their mothers. With such benefits, most women who understand its importance will choose SSC following birth.
However, understanding the importance of SSC immediately following birth and having this happen are sometimes two different things. Here are some tips to help you in preparing for SSC following delivery.
Krista Gray is a La Leche League Leader and mother of four exclusively breastfed children, including twins. She is currently studying to take the IBCLC exam in 2013. Krista authors her website: http://www.nursingnurture.com
Sources:
Bergman, N.J. & Jurisso, L.A. (1994). The ‘kangaroo-method’ for treating low birthweight babies in a developing country. Tropical Doctor, 24(2), 57-60.
Gomez Papi A, Baiges Nogues MT, Batiste Fernandez MT, Marca Gutierrez MM, Nieto Jurado A, Closa Monasterolo R. (1998) Kangaroo method in the delivery room for full-term babies An Esp Pediatr 48(6):631-3
Luddington-Hoe, S.M., et al. (2006). Breast and infant temperatures with twins during shared Kangaroo Care. Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 35(2), 223-231.
Moore ER, et al. Early skin-to-skin contact for mothers and their healthy newborn infants. May 16, 2012. Cochrane Summaries. http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD003519/early-s kin-to-skin-contact-for-mothers-and-their-healthy-newborn-infants
UNICEF. (May, 1984) Kangaroo treatment saves underweight babies. UNICEF News Feature
During pregnancy, as you begin to plan and prepare for the birth of your baby, you may hear the term “skin-to-skin” contact (SSC). The name seems quite obvious and, while it sounds nice, does it really matter? What really is SSC and why is it important?
As its name implies, “skin-to-skin” refers to laying a baby with his stomach down (prone position) against the front-side of his (preferably) mother, neither with clothes between them.
A blanket is placed on the outside of the baby and the baby may be wearing a diaper and/or a hat. It has many advantages throughout the days and weeks following birth, especially regarding breastfeeding, but some very specific benefits immediately following delivery.
One of the 10 steps for a birthing hospital to receive BFHI status (Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative by the World Health Organization) is to help mothers initiate SSC with their babies following birth. Ideally this would happen immediately, but, if this is not possible, the sooner the better. The first 1 ½ - 2 hours following birth is critical. During this time a baby is working to regulate his body temperature outside his mother’s womb; stabilize his heart rate, serum cortisol and blood glucose levels; and bond with his mother through each of his senses which stimulates his innate ability to suckle at the breast. SSC positively impacts each of these. In fact, babies’ body temperatures are better regulated in SSC than in an incubator; heart rates are more stabilized; cortisol and blood glucose levels are more normalized; and there are greater chances for breastfeeding success .
. . not to mention the precious time of cuddling and bonding with your new baby. For mothers, SSC not only helps to regulate her body temperature, but heightens oxytocin levels and milk volume, promotes bonding with her baby, and increases confidence in her mothering ability. Babies who are placed in SSC following birth for an hour are more than eight times more likely to spontaneously breastfeed than those who are not.
SSC is extremely beneficial for all babies – both full-term and premature. SSC was actually first used in Colombia in the early 1980s for pre-term babies. Compared to babies cared for in environments with greater technology, the babies receiving skin-to-skin contact each day fared much better. Research on SSC and twins found that each breast uniquely regulated its temperature depending on what each baby needed. If one baby was too cool, the breast temperature on that side would increase; if the other baby was too hot, that breast would decrease in temperature. SSC after birth has also been shown to significantly increase the survival rate of babies who are born with very low birth weights.
In addition to its many positive benefits immediately following birth, SSC continues to have a positive impact on breastfeeding in the early weeks and months with your new baby. SSC promotes bonding between mother and baby, helps baby to latch, increases a mother’s milk supply, and can even help a baby who is refusing the breast to begin to nurse. The benefits of SSC are increased, the longer and/or more frequently a baby is held this way. In the Cochrane Summary (cited below) researchers found that babies were even possibly more likely to have a positive and strong relationship with their mothers. With such benefits, most women who understand its importance will choose SSC following birth.
However, understanding the importance of SSC immediately following birth and having this happen are sometimes two different things. Here are some tips to help you in preparing for SSC following delivery.
- Discuss your birth plan with your doctor(s) beforehand. Let them know that you desire your baby to be placed in SSC with you immediately following birth.
- Research the hospital/birthing facility’s policy on SSC following delivery. If necessary, talk with them about your wishes and share your birth plan with them in advance.
- Plan for a natural, vaginal delivery and consider using a doula during labor and delivery for greater chances of your birth plan being followed.
- Discuss and have a plan in place in the event your birth doesn’t go how you hope. Even if your birth ends with a cesarean section (or one is planned in advance) doesn’t mean you can’t have SSC. Many hospitals are becoming more supportive of SSC as they understand its importance for both mom and baby and they have plans in place to help moms have almost-immediate SSC with their baby, even during surgery and recovery time.
- If you anticipate not being able to have immediate SSC following birth, consider making a plan for the baby’s father to have SSC until you are able.
Krista Gray is a La Leche League Leader and mother of four exclusively breastfed children, including twins. She is currently studying to take the IBCLC exam in 2013. Krista authors her website: http://www.nursingnurture.com
Sources:
Bergman, N.J. & Jurisso, L.A. (1994). The ‘kangaroo-method’ for treating low birthweight babies in a developing country. Tropical Doctor, 24(2), 57-60.
Gomez Papi A, Baiges Nogues MT, Batiste Fernandez MT, Marca Gutierrez MM, Nieto Jurado A, Closa Monasterolo R. (1998) Kangaroo method in the delivery room for full-term babies An Esp Pediatr 48(6):631-3
Luddington-Hoe, S.M., et al. (2006). Breast and infant temperatures with twins during shared Kangaroo Care. Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 35(2), 223-231.
Moore ER, et al. Early skin-to-skin contact for mothers and their healthy newborn infants. May 16, 2012. Cochrane Summaries. http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD003519/early-s kin-to-skin-contact-for-mothers-and-their-healthy-newborn-infants
UNICEF. (May, 1984) Kangaroo treatment saves underweight babies. UNICEF News Feature
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