Welcoming a newborn is a life-changing moment, full of joy, questions, and sometimes uncertainty.
One of the most powerful things you can do right after birth—and in the days and weeks that follow—is skin-to-skin contact while breastfeeding.
This simple practice offers a wealth of benefits for both baby and mother.
In this article, you’ll learn what skin-to-skin contact is, why it matters, when and how to do it, what challenges might come up, and tips for making the practice work for you and your baby.
What is Skin-to-Skin Contact?
Skin-to-skin contact (sometimes called SSC, or “kangaroo care” when used especially for premature or low birth weight babies) refers to placing your naked (or diaper-only) baby directly on your bare chest, typically immediately after birth, with both mother and child under a warm cover.
This creates direct body contact: skin of baby to skin of parent, generally covered with a blanket or wrap to keep warm.
Why Skin-to-Skin Is Important: The Evidence & Benefits
There is strong evidence from global health authorities and research showing significant benefits of skin-to-skin contact, particularly in supporting breastfeeding and newborn wellbeing.
Benefits for the Baby
- Helps with feeding initiation & latch.
Research shows that immediate and uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact after birth increases the likelihood that babies will begin breastfeeding earlier, have better latch, and breastfeed more successfully in the long term. - Thermoregulation.
Baby’s body temperature is more stable when in skin-to-skin contact. Mother’s chest acts like a natural warmer, helping keep baby at the right temperature and reducing risk of hypothermia. - Stabilizes breathing, heart rate, glucose levels.
Babies in skin contact tend to have more stable vital signs, fewer fluctuations in heart rate, breathing, and more stable blood sugar levels. - Reduced stress & crying. The closeness soothes baby: lowers stress hormones (like cortisol), reduces crying, and promotes calm.
- Better immune support. Direct contact with the mother’s microbiome helps in early colonization with beneficial bacteria, which may protect against infections.
- Long-term feeding & health outcomes. Skin-to-skin contact is associated with higher rates of exclusive breastfeeding in the first months of life, longer breastfeeding duration, and better health outcomes for infants over time.
Benefits for the Mom
- Improved bonding and emotional connection.
Holding your baby skin-to-skin fosters bonding. It can help trigger maternal instincts, support feelings of closeness, and reduce feelings of anxiety. - Hormonal benefits. Skin contact helps with release of oxytocin, which contributes to uterine contraction (helping placenta delivery and reducing bleeding), milk let-down, and general sense of calm and wellbeing.
- Breastfeeding success & confidence. Early SSC boosts early milk production and helps mothers feel more confident in breastfeeding, reducing difficulties later on.
- Reduced postpartum depression / stress. The soothing effect and sense of connection from skin-to-skin contact can help buffer against postpartum mood disorders.
When & How to Do Skin-to-Skin Contact
Putting skin-to-skin into practice is easier when you know the best timing, positions, and what support to ask for.
Timing
- Immediately after birth is ideal. The first hour (“the golden hour”) is often emphasized.
- Continuous & uninterrupted if possible. Let baby stay on your chest rather than being separated for routine procedures like weighing or bathing unless medically necessary.
- If immediate SSC isn’t possible (e.g. C-section, medical issues), begin as soon as both you and baby are stable. Continue SSC regularly.
Positioning & Practical Considerations
- Ensure baby is dry, and warm – put under a blanket or wrap over both of you.
- Baby should be placed prone (belly down) on your bare chest, with head turned to one side so airway is clear. Support head and shoulders.
- Make sure baby’s nose is not pressed into your chest. Face is visible.
- Skin-to-skin works after both vaginal birth and cesarean. If you are recovering from surgery, staff can help, or a partner or other trusted person can also do skin-to-skin if needed.
Duration
- One hour is often recommended for the first session, especially if uninterrupted.
- But shorter sessions are better than none. Frequent skin-to-skin over first few days helps reinforce feeding, bonding, and comfort.
Tips for New Moms: Making Skin-to-Skin Easier
- Ask beforehand.
During your prenatal visits or hospital tour, ask about the hospital’s policies on SSC and breastfeeding. Let your birth plan include SSC and immediate breastfeeding. - Get help from hospital staff.
Nurses, midwives, lactation consultants can help you with positioning, latching, especially after a C-section or if you’re tired. - Stay relaxed & patient.
Babies take time. They go through instinctive stages: birth cry, relaxation, awakening, activity, rest, crawling, familiarization, suckling, and sleep. Don’t rush the process. Let your baby find the breast when ready. - Use your support system.
If you’re unable to do SSC (e.g. due to medical reasons), see if your partner or family member can. Frequent contact still helps. - Comfort & safety.
Ensure the environment is warm, quiet, and that you are in a safe position. Support your back and arms. Make sure baby’s airway remains clear. - Skin-to-skin beyond the first hour.
Continue skin contact during feeding, during settling, throughout the night if possible (safe practices apply). Each session adds benefit.
Common Challenges & How to Overcome Them
Even though skin-to-skin has many benefits, there are real challenges. Knowing them in advance helps.
| Challenge | Possible Cause(s) | Practical Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| C-section recovery | Surgical pain, monitoring, limited mobility | Ask for SSC in operating room recovery, get staff help to place baby, adjust pillow support. |
| Baby sleepy / low vigor | Baby exposed to medications during labour, or birth stress | Extended SSC, frequent gentle stimulation (skin contact, talking), warm environment. |
| Mother exhausted or in pain | Long labour, anaesthesia, delivery complications | Rest when possible, have someone help (partner/nurse), start SSC when physical comfort allows. |
| Hospital routines interrupt | Weighing, regular checks, separation for procedures | Advocate for postponing non-urgent procedures, ask to delay until after feeding or SSC. Include your preferences in your birth plan. |
| Latch problems | Baby positioning, mother pain, tongue-tie, etc. | Get support from a lactation consultant, try different holds (laid-back, football hold), skin contact helps baby align to breast. |
Summary: What Every New Mom Should Know
- Skin-to-skin contact is one of the simplest, most powerful tools you have for supporting breastfeeding, bonding, and your baby’s overall health.
- Best practice is to start immediately after birth, keep the contact uninterrupted for at least an hour, allow baby’s natural feeding instincts to guide the first latch.
- Don’t worry if things don’t go perfectly at first: birth, surgeries, or hospital routines may delay or interrupt things—but you can still get back into it, with help.
- Advocate for yourself: include your preferences in your birth plan, ask for help from staff, get a lactation consultant if needed.
- Remember that each skin-to-skin moment counts: frequent contact over days and weeks helps reinforce benefits.
Final Thoughts
Skin-to-skin contact is one of the simplest, most natural, and most powerful ways to support your baby’s health and your breastfeeding journey.
It helps with bonding, stabilizes baby’s vital signs, encourages successful feeding, and fosters emotional wellbeing for both mom and baby.
Whether your delivery is straightforward or complicated, whether you deliver vaginally or by cesarean, skin-to-skin can be part of your newborn care plan.
Remember: each moment of contact counts, and the benefits continue well beyond the delivery room.
