Did you know that the very first hour after birth (often called the “golden hour”) is a magical window for you and your baby? Behind the contractions, the pushing, and the excitement of meeting your little one, there’s a quiet but powerful moment that can shape your first hours together: skin-to-skin contact.
As a doula, I’ve witnessed countless families experience the calm, connecting, and life-changing benefits of having their newborn placed directly on their chest, bare skin to bare skin, right after birth. And science is catching up with what many of us have always known: this simple act is not just heartwarming - it’s profoundly important for your baby’s health, your breastfeeding journey, and your bond.
Why Skin-to-Skin Matters
For your baby:
- Stabilizes their body: Heart rate, breathing, and blood sugar are more stable when babies are held skin-to-skin.
- Helps with breastfeeding: Babies are more likely to latch successfully and continue exclusive breastfeeding. Studies show babies who have early skin-to-skin are much more likely to be breastfeeding at one month and beyond.
- Supports temperature regulation: Your body naturally adjusts to keep your baby warm. It’s like your own built-in incubator!
For you:
- Encourages bonding: Holding your baby close, hearing their first breaths against your chest, helps your body release oxytocin—the “love hormone”—and can make you feel calmer and more connected.
- Supports milk production: That same oxytocin helps your body get ready to feed your baby.
For partners and birth companions:
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Skin-to-skin isn’t just for the birthing parent! Partners can provide the same comforting closeness, helping babies feel safe and supported while giving you a chance to rest or recover.
Evidence-Based Benefits
Recent research, including large reviews of dozens of studies, shows that skin-to-skin contact:
- Boosts exclusive breastfeeding rates in the first months.
- Improves babies’ heart rate, breathing, and blood sugar stability.
- Supports early bonding and emotional regulation for both parent and baby.
Even for preterm babies, skin-to-skin—sometimes called “kangaroo care”—is recommended as soon as possible. And if the birth is via cesarean or if there are complications, starting skin-to-skin as soon as it’s safe still brings amazing benefits.
How to Make It Happen
Here are a few tips from a doula’s toolbox:
- Start as soon as possible: Ideally, within the first 10 minutes after birth.
- Keep it uninterrupted: Delay routine procedures like weighing, bathing, or eye ointment until after the first hour.
- Include partners: If the birthing parent needs a rest, the partner can step in for skin-to-skin.
- Don’t worry if there’s a delay: Skin-to-skin at any point in the first hours or even days is still beneficial.
A Gentle Invitation
If you’re planning your birth, talk to your care team about your wishes for skin-to-skin contact. Include it in your birth plan and share it with your doula or partner. Even small steps, like holding your baby on your chest for the first few minutes, make a big difference.
As doulas, our role is to guide, support, and advocate so that these first moments together are protected, calm, and full of connection. Because sometimes, the best care you can give your newborn isn’t a procedure, a device, or a treatment - it’s simply your heart against theirs.
Takeaway: Skin-to-skin is more than a “nice-to-have.” It’s a first hug, a stabilizer, a lifeline, and a bridge into your new life together. Your baby feels it, your body feels it, and you’ll remember it forever.
