Skin to Skin

Simple, but Powerful

Skin-to-skin time is when baby snuggles on mom or dad's bare chest. Skin-to-skin is good for all babies, whether they are breastfeeding or formula feeding. Babies need lots of skin-to-skin in the hospital and at home. Try to spend time skin-to-skin for at least an hour a day, four days a week, for the first six weeks.

How to do it:

Dress baby in just a diaper. Place baby upright against your bare chest between mom's breasts is best, or snuggling on dad's bare chest. Cover lightly with a blanket and relax and enjoy.

Benefits for Mom and Baby:

Calms you and baby

Releases hormones that relieve stress and stabilize baby's temperature, breathing rate, heart rate, and blood sugar.

Helps mom breastfeed longer by building her milk supply and lowers mom's risk of postpartum mood disorder.