Skin-to-skin contact with newborns

For most babies, skin-to-skin contact is what they need to calm and warm them after birth. Skin-to-skin contact is also called kangaroo care.

During skin-to-skin contact, you and your baby will produce a hormone called oxytocin. This helps you feel close to your baby.

Skin-to-skin contact after the birth

Immediately after the birth, a midwife will place your baby on your chest and dry any excess fluids. Your baby will be naked (except for a hat and nappy). You will get a blanket to keep you and your baby warm.

Enjoy this time, rest and relax together. This is your chance to get to know your baby. The hours after your baby's birth are the most important to bond and attach with your baby. This first contact is very important for building and maintaining a relationship with your baby.

Skin-to-skin contact after a caesarean

If you have a planned caesarean section and you and your baby are well, your midwife will place your baby safely on your chest for skin-to-skin immediately after birth.

If you have an emergency caesarean section, your midwife will discuss with you how soon you and baby can start skin-to-skin contact.

What happens during a caesarean

Safe skin-to-skin contact

It's important to keep your baby safe during skin-to-skin contact.

Your baby's head should be turned to one side. Keep their neck straight and not extended too much.

Make sure you can always see your baby’s face. Do not keep their chin down on your chest or have their mouth and nose covered.

Keep their shoulders flat against your chest. Their head and arms should be above your breasts and their legs should be below your breasts.

Keep an eye on your baby’s:

• skin colour
• temperature - use a blanket to keep them warm
• activity - check if they are awake or asleep
• muscle tone - when your baby's arms and legs are bent up, they have good muscle tone
• breathing - listen for sounds such as grunting

Create a comfortable environment

You should always be awake and alert. Sit comfortably in a semi-reclined position. Make sure your baby cannot fall or get trapped in bedding.

Enjoy this time without distractions (for example, your phone) in a room with a lot of light.

Ask your midwife or doctor for help if you have any concerns.

Watch a video on safe skin-to-skin contact

Partner's skin-to-skin contact

Your birth partner can also take part in skin-to-skin contact to bond with the baby. If you or your baby are unable to try skin-to-skin contact after birth, you can start it later.

Signs of wanting to feed

During the first skin-to-skin contact, your baby may start showing signs of wanting to feed. They may move towards your breast and try to latch or attach to your breast. They may do this on their own, or need a little help from you. Keep your baby skin-to-skin during this first feed and afterwards, for as long as you wish.

Your baby's first feed

Benefits of skin-to-skin contact

Skin-to-skin contact helps your baby:

• stay warm
• stabilise their body temperature
• feel less stress from being born
• adjust to life outside the womb
• stabilise their breathing
• regulate their blood sugar
• get good bacteria to protect against infection

Building a relationship with your baby

Skin-to-skin contact helps you to:

• recognise and learn your baby's signals sooner - including signs of hunger, contentment and discomfort
• release hormones that keep you calm and help you to produce breast milk
• get more confident in holding and taking care of your baby

Responsive parenting is an important part of forming a healthy relationship with your baby. This means that you are responding to your baby while accepting their needs and signals. For example, you may pick up on early signs of hunger before your baby even cries. Keep your baby close.

Responsive parenting helps your baby form healthy brain connections. It encourages feelings of safety and comfort.

Remember, you cannot spoil your baby by keeping your baby close responding to their needs.

Attachment and bonding with your baby

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