When should I hold my baby in skin-to-skin?

 
 

Anywhere, anytime, and often

Skin-to-skin contact can benefit you and your baby - the more time in skin-to-skin contact, the better! (1) When your baby is in skin-to-skin contact for at least an hour, they are able to go through a full sleep cycle directly on your chest (REM and non-REM sleep), which is important for brain growth and healthy development.

Do not hesitate to hold your baby in skin-to-skin contact often and for as long as you can!

Skin-to-skin contact is a powerful way for you to reduce your baby’s pain and stress during painful procedures. (2) It is especially important to hold your baby in skin-to-skin contact before, during, and after painful procedures, such as blood tests or during routine immunizations. When you're in the hospital, talk to your nurse about planning procedures around skin-to-skin contact!

When a sample of your baby’s blood is sent to a lab to be analyzed. Blood is collected using a needle from their heel, arm/wrist, or scalp.

The process of becoming resistant (less likely to become infected) or immune (have protection against) a disease or infection, by receiving a vaccine.

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Snuggle in!

 
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 How do I hold my baby in skin-to-skin?

 

+ Step 1: Prep

Use the washroom

  • Take time now to use the washroom, grab a snack, etc., to avoid having to stop snugling
  • Remember to wash your hands well before touching your baby

Get changed

  • If you are in hospital and using a unit gown, this is a good time to put it on.

Take care of your baby’s needs

  • Check that your baby’s needs have also been taken care of. For example, does your baby need a diaper change?

If using for pain management

  • Talk with your nurse to find out when the procedure is planned for your baby
  • Give yourself and your baby at least 10 minutes to snuggle in skin-to-skin before any painful procedures!
  • The person doing the procedure may not be your nurse, but a lab technician instead. Make sure that you are in a comfortable position with an extra blanket handy if you would like to cover you and your baby during the procedure

+ Step 2: Get set up

  • Set up a comfy space
  • Ensure your personal items are within reach
  • Undress your baby, they should be wearing only a diaper. If it's cool in the room, make sure to have put a hat on your baby and a light blanket to drape over your baby's back.

+ Step 3: Enjoy!

  • Settle in for some seriously cute snuggling!

During the painful procedure, your baby could still be a little upset even though they are snuggled in skin-to-skin contact. Your voice is also soothing to them, so try talking or singing to them to make them feel safe and calm.

 
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Who can do skin-to-skin?

Moms, dads, partners, siblings, grandparents, or other caregivers can all provide comfort to baby and experience the many benefits that come from skin-to-skin contact.

Anyone can hold your baby in skin-to-skin contact when you are not available! (3,4) It might be scary the first few times you hold your baby in skin-to-skin contact; many parents feel this way! The more often you hold them this way, the more secure and confident you will feel!

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Feeling Sleepy?

 
 

This is completely normal. When you hold your baby in skin-to-skin contact, a feel-good hormone called oxytocin is released, which can make you both sleepy. Let this happen; you are maximizing the benefits for both of you!(5)

A hormone released in the brain by the pituitary gland that causes increased contraction of the uterus during and after labor and stimulates milk production. It is often called “the love hormone”.

 
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Ask a nurse

When your in hospital, your nurse can share more about the ways to enjoy the “sleepiness” of skin-to-skin contact safely!

 
 

Happy snuggling!

 
 
 

+ References

  1. Conde-Aguedelo, A., & Díaz-Rossello, J. L. (2016). Kangaroo mother care to reduce morbidity and mortality in low birthweight infants. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (8), CD002771. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD002771.pub4
  2. Johnston, C., Disher, T., Benoit, B., Fernandes, A., Streiner, D., Inglis, D., … Inglis, D. (2017). Skin-to-skin care for procedural pain in neonates. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (2). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD008435.pub3.Copyright
  3. Shorey, S., He, H. G., & Morelius, E. (2016). Skin-to-skin contact by fathers and the impact on infant and paternal outcomes: an integrative review. Midwifery, 40, 207–217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2016.07.007
  4. Johnston, C., & Campbell Yeo, M. (2013). Mother care for procedural pain in infants. Oxford Textbook of Paediatric Pain, 600–613.
  5. Moore, E., Bergman, N., Anderson, G., & Medley, N. (2016). Early skin-to-skin contact for mothers and their healthy newborn infants. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 11, CD003519. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003519.pub4