A birth is that moment in life that is exciting, relieving, and even surprising. Such a moment is at times most profound for new parents when the newborn is put directly on the mother's or father's chest. This is referred to as skin-to-skin contact; it makes their bare skins touch each other. This practice, commonly known as "kangaroo care," is more than just the touching bonding moment; it does play a crucial role in the short term and long term health of the baby and mother.
Studies have discovered numerous psychological, physiological, and developmental advantages that skin-to-skin contact right after delivery provides. In this blog, we will go through how to make the best use of this highly influential early interaction.
The science behind skin-to-skin contact
By this time, nine long months under the warm and safe cover of the womb have passed, and the baby is experiencing its greatest shift. Indeed, it has been established that skin-to-skin contact makes this journey from inside to outside comfortable with warming familiarity. Babies also instinctively seek proximity to their parents in order further to regulate their body and mind; hence, skin-to-skin contact is an important in newborn care.
Putting a newborn on a mother's chest would be tied to numerous critical physiological and psychological responses.
The heartbeat and the voice soothes the baby because such sounds are what he or she has become accustomed to.
The baby's body temperature, heartbeats, and breathing will be in more regulation.
When oxytocin, the so-called "love hormone", is released, then both the baby and the mother get attached and bond with each other.
Benefits to the Baby
Regulation of Vital Signs
New-born babies are sensitive to the variation of temperature at birth; stable body temperature is crucial to the survival and healthy state of newborn babies. The warmth from the mother's chest contributes to the warming of the baby's body through skin-to-skin contact. Most research findings indicate that babies who are kept skin-to-skin tend to warm better than those kept in incubators or wrapped up in blankets.
The direct contact of the mother stabilises the neonate's heart rate and respiration. If kept in direct contact with the mother, then it is faster to re-establish the baby's vital signs, including oxygen saturation.
Promotion of breastfeeding
It significantly influences the onset of breastfeeding. Newborns have an in-born reflex in the first hour after birth called the "breast crawl," wherein instinctively they tend to move toward the mother's breast and suckle. Early initiation of breastfeeding, therefore, has been associated with more auspicious outcomes of breastfeeding: babies latch better, and mothers tend to produce more colustrum, which is very nutritious.
Less Stress and Tears
Newborns are stressed due to being exposed to the alien environment since birth. Skin-to-skin contact dramatically reduces the amount of stress a newborn undergoes because it gives one comfort, warmth, and a familiar sound like the heartbeat of the parent. Babies who are held skin-to-skin cry less and have fewer indicators of distress, thus making entry into life outside the womb much easier.
Enhanced Immune Condition
The skin-to-skin contact also colonises the baby's skin with helpful bacteria from the mother and, eventually, aids in developing the baby's immune system. This early contact helps in the passing of antibodies during breastfeeding; these help protect the baby from infections and diseases.
Improved Blood Glucose Control
This type of exposure to the baby has proved to be positive for low-birth-weight babies or babies born to diabetic mothers through the sharing of heat.
Benefits to the Mother
Nurturing a relationship and emotional well-being
Oxytocin dubbed the "love hormone," will be released from the mother's body during skin-to-skin contact. The hormone stimulates love and alleviates her fear so she can bond with the baby. This ensures mothers experience assurance and have a high attachment rate with the newborn member of the family.
This also contributes to the recovery of the mental well-being of mothers after delivery; thus preventing postpartum depression.
Support Exclusive Breastfeeding
As discussed above, skin-to-skin contact encourages early breastfeeding, which would both be good for the baby and helpful in supporting milk production by the mother. Physical closeness promotes stimulation of milk letdown and instills confidence in breastfeeding, thereby leading to successful long-term breastfeeding practices.
The release of oxytocin during breastfeeding also triggers uterine contractions that help the uterus shrink back to pre-pregnancy size and reduce postpartum bleeding.
Fast Physical Rehabilitation
Skin-to-skin contact is associated with rapid postpartum recovery of mothers. Oxytocin released may help in reducing some of the pain that ensues with delivery and generally aid in physical recovery.
Final Remarks: Power in Touch
Skin-to-skin contact fosters both physical and emotional health of the baby and the parents. Such benefits of this simple yet profound interaction include stabilising the vital signs of the newborn to fostering breastfeeding and emotional attachment.
Whether it is the mother, father, or another caregiver, providing such intimacy in those early hours and days after birth will set a strong foundation for a healthy, nurturing relationship. For new parents, knowledge of the importance of skin-to-skin signifies a positive beginning in parenthood.
Reviewed by
Dr. Varini N - Sr. Consultant - Obestetrician & Gynaecologist, Milann - Kumara Park.
