Skin-to-skin contact
After your baby is born, so long as they are well, you will be encouraged to have immediate skin-to-skin contact. This type of contact is known to be beneficial to both mother and baby by:
- regulating your baby’s breathing, heart rate, temperature and blood glucose levels
- soothing and calming your baby
- encouraging early breastfeeding and increased milk production
- supporting longer term breastfeeding success.
Even if your baby needs help with breathing after birth, or to be seen by a neonatal doctor, you will be offered skin-to-skin contact as soon as practically possible. It is very important that your baby’s chin is free from obstruction and that a clear airway is maintained.
Read the important safety considerations in the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative related link below.
Skin-to-skin contact – Dr Nils Bergman
