Skin-to-Skin Care
The nursing staff and physicians promote skin-to-skin contact between you and your baby immediately after delivery. Skin-to-skin care has many proven benefits for babies and their parents. It involves holding your baby close and having your skin touching theirs.
- How? Remove any clothing from waist up. Baby wears only a diaper. Place baby against your chest. Wrap a sheet, blanket, or clothing around both you and your baby.
- Who? Mother, Father, and/or support person can perform skin to skin
- Benefits for infant: Stable body temperature, better breathing, pain reliever
- Benefits for you: Better bonding, increased feelings of attachments, increased milk supply, more confidence in caring for your infant