Skin-to-skin Contact: Significantly After Birth
Skin-to-skin contact should be performed immediately after birth. It consists of placing the newborn on the mother’s womb or breast. Medical personnel can do this themselves without first cutting the umbilical cord.
In fact, this practice can also be performed days after birth. It has many benefits, both for the baby’s health and the bond between mother and baby. In this article, we explain everything you need to know about this procedure.
Skin-to-skin contact
Skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby after birth is something humanity has done throughout history. It is almost done unconsciously as the mother will show her affection for as well as protect her newborn.
The birth is a complicated situation for the baby as it ends the state of calm and comfort that they experienced during the months of pregnancy. The first contact with the mother can make them feel calm and peaceful. Thus, this practice is important.
Although the technique is beneficial in many ways, in reality many are unaware of it. Thus, it was performed out of instinct. As soon as assisted birth came into the picture, medical professionals stopped using this practice.
How do you practice skin-to-skin contact with your baby?
Skin-to-skin contact consists of placing the newborn on the mother’s breast or abdomen. Medical personnel usually do this without first cutting the umbilical cord. They should place the baby with its head on the mother’s bare breast.
It is ideal for the baby to also come in contact with the mother’s nipple. However, they do not need to suck on it. This should be done at both vaginal births and cesarean sections. Experts recommend maintaining this position for at least one hour.
In fact, it can even be performed in the first few days of a baby’s life. Thus, it does not have to happen right after birth. It is ideal to find the perfect moment throughout the day to enjoy this peaceful time.
The mother should expose the breast completely and place the baby on it. The mother must also cover both herself and the baby with a blanket to avoid changing the body temperature regulation. Remember that the body’s adaptation system to the environment at an early age is still evolving.
In this way, it is likely that both will achieve a state of calm. We will now comment on the many benefits of this. However, it is logical to assume that this degree of intimacy reduces stress. Skin-to-skin contact can even help regulate the temperature fluctuations we mentioned above, as it is an aid for homeostasis.
The benefits of this technique
Many researchers in recent years have studied the benefits of skin-to-skin contact. According to a study published in the Cochrane Library , skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby reduces crying at birth and improves mother-baby interaction.
Experts say it significantly improves the bond between the two. For example, the mother understands the baby’s signals better and communication becomes more fluent. Thus, the mother is able to take care of the baby’s needs.
According to a review by the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile , it actually reduces the possibility of postpartum depression. Similarly, it seems that it reduces the days in hospital after birth.
Another benefit we mentioned above is the regulation of the baby’s temperature. In other words, it helps maintain adequate body homeostasis, which is important at this stage of life for normal development.
Finally, an EnfermerÃa Universitaria study states that skin-to-skin contact between women and newborns after birth led to a greater initiation of breastfeeding. It also comments that it favors uterine involution and that it reduces the risk of infections, leading to reduced medication use for women in the postpartum period.
Skin-to-skin contact whenever possible
Skin-to-skin contact is natural and instinctive at the time of birth. Both mother and baby benefit from it. However, it is true that it has its drawbacks.
A Spanish publication explains that at the exact moment, complications can also occur that endanger the baby’s life. For example, the possibility of heat stroke. Nevertheless, this technique should be encouraged to improve the preparation of medical personnel.
Therefore, if you are going to have a baby, you can try to read more about this technique and how to perform it. At birth, you can also enjoy the first contact with your newborn baby. In this way, you can ensure that this first contact with the outside world is not traumatic for the newborn.
