The Benefits of Skin-to-Skin Contact for Baby & Parent Bonding
Skin-to-skin contact, also known as kangaroo care, is one of the most powerful ways to promote bonding between a baby and their parent. This simple yet effective practice involves placing the newborn directly against the parent's bare chest, fostering warmth, security, and connection. In Butte and Humboldt Counties, many parents are turning to skin-to-skin care as a natural way to enhance their baby's development and well-being.
Why Skin-to-Skin Contact Matters
From the moment a baby is born, skin-to-skin contact offers numerous benefits for both parent and child. Hospitals, midwives, and doulas increasingly recommend this practice as a standard part of postpartum care.
Benefits for Babies:
Regulates Body Temperature – Babies cannot regulate their temperature efficiently at birth, but skin-to-skin contact helps maintain warmth and stability.
Encourages Breastfeeding Success – Studies show that babies held skin-to-skin initiate breastfeeding more easily and have improved latch quality.
Stabilizes Heart Rate & Breathing – Close contact helps regulate a newborn’s physiological functions, reducing stress and promoting relaxation.
Boosts Immune System – Exposure to the parent's microbiome helps build the baby’s immune defense.
Enhances Emotional Security – The closeness reassures newborns, leading to reduced crying and improved sleep patterns.
Benefits for Parents:
Strengthens Parent-Child Bond – The oxytocin released during skin-to-skin contact enhances emotional bonding.
Reduces Parental Stress & Anxiety – Holding a baby close has been shown to lower stress hormones in parents.
Supports Postpartum Recovery – Mothers who engage in skin-to-skin contact may experience faster healing and reduced postpartum depression.
Promotes Confident Parenting – The practice helps parents feel more connected and attuned to their baby’s needs.
How to Practice Skin-to-Skin Contact
Immediately after birth, place the baby directly on the parent’s bare chest, covering with a blanket for warmth.
Continue the practice for at least an hour after birth and as frequently as possible in the following weeks.
Partners and other caregivers can also participate in skin-to-skin bonding.
For C-section deliveries, skin-to-skin can still be facilitated with assistance from a nurse or doula.
How a Doula Supports Skin-to-Skin Bonding
A doula can help parents initiate and maintain skin-to-skin contact by:
Educating on best practices for skin-to-skin care.
Advocating for uninterrupted bonding time after birth.
Providing postpartum support to help parents integrate skin-to-skin into their routine.
Embrace Skin-to-Skin in Butte & Humboldt Counties
Whether you’re birthing at home or in a hospital, skin-to-skin contact is a vital practice that fosters a deep, lasting connection between you and your baby. At The Village Doula Collective, we support families in integrating skin-to-skin care into their birth and postpartum experience.
Interested in learning more about newborn bonding and postpartum support? Contact The Village Doula Collective today!