What is skin-to-skin contact?

In the journey of parenthood, few moments are as profound and heartwarming as the first time you hold your newborn against your bare skin. This practice is known as "skin-to-skin contact" or "kangaroo care." It can carry profound importance for both parent and baby. Here, we explore what skin-to-skin contact is, why it's crucial, and how to create this essential bond.

Understanding skin-to-skin contact

Skin-to-skin contact refers to the practice of holding your newborn directly against your bare chest or abdomen, ensuring their skin touches yours. It is often initiated immediately after birth for the “golden hour” and can continue during the hours, days, and even weeks following your baby's arrival. This simple yet powerful practice offers numerous advantages:

Enhanced bonding: Skin-to-skin contact fosters an immediate emotional connection between you and your baby. The physical closeness releases oxytocin, often referred to as the "love hormone," which promotes strong emotional bonds.
Regulated body temperature: A newborn's body struggles to maintain a stable temperature. Placing your baby skin-to-skin helps regulate their body temperature, ensuring they stay warm.
Improved breastfeeding: Skin-to-skin contact enhances breastfeeding success. It encourages your baby's natural breastfeeding instincts, making it easier for them to latch and nurse effectively.
Soothing comfort: The feeling of your warmth, heartbeat, and scent provides your baby with a sense of comfort and security. This reduces stress and promotes a calm, content disposition.
Positive development: Research suggests that skin-to-skin contact contributes to improved brain development and overall health, potentially reducing the risk of health complications.

Creating skin-to-skin contact

Step 1: Be prepared

Before delivery, discuss your desire for skin-to-skin contact with your healthcare team. Ensure your chosen birthing environment supports this practice.

Step 2: Immediate contact

Whenever possible, hold your baby against your bare skin immediately after birth. If circumstances permit, let your baby rest on your chest or abdomen for an extended time.

Step 3: Stay skin-to-skin

Even after the initial contact, continue to hold your baby skin-to-skin during the postpartum period. This practice is ideal for both mothers and fathers, allowing both to bond with the baby.

Step 4: Skin-to-skin nurturing

During this time, focus on gentle interaction and bonding. Talk softly to your baby, stroke their back, or simply enjoy the serenity of this close connection.

Step 5: Breastfeeding support

If you plan to breastfeed, skin-to-skin contact can make the process smoother. Position your baby on your chest, and their natural instincts may lead them to your breast.

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Skin-to-skin contact is an invaluable practice that can be enjoyed by both parents and their newborns. From creating an emotional bond to ensuring a warm and secure environment, this practice offers numerous advantages for the entire family.

Sources

All of the information in our Library is evidence-based and backed by information from reputable organizations.

Widström AM, Brimdyr K, Svensson K, Cadwell K, Nissen E. Skin-to-skin contact the first hour after birth, underlying implications and clinical practice. Acta Paediatr. 2019 Jul;108(7):1192-1204. doi: 10.1111/apa.14754. Epub 2019 Mar 13. PMID: 30762247; PMCID: PMC6949952.

Cleveland Clinic

1. Bring ID for your baby

Don't forget to pack your baby's birth certificate or immunization record as a form of ID. Some airlines may ask for proof of age, especially if your little one looks a bit older than two.

2. Choose direct flights

Try to pick a direct flight when possible. Less time traveling means fewer chances for baby meltdowns. If a nonstop flight isn't available, consider a flight with a longer layover. This gives you time for diaper changes, feeding, and getting to your next gate.

3. Time your flight right

Book your flight during your baby's best time of day. Most babies are happiest in the morning. Travel when your baby's in a good mood to make the journey smoother.

4. Arrive early at the airport

Traveling with a baby means more steps at the airport. Arrive early to dodge stress. You’ll feel more relaxed when it's time to board the plane.

5. Gate check baby gear

Most airlines let parents gate-check items like strollers and car seats for free. It protects your valuable items from rough handling in the cargo hold.

6. Pack extras

Be ready for surprises by packing extra diapers, bottles, and outfits for both you and your baby. Bring extra snacks or formula, just in case of delays.

7. Dress for comfort

Layer up your baby for the flight. A comfortable baby is a happy baby. Layers help with temperature changes onboard and at your destination.

8. Help with ear pressure

Encourage sucking during takeoff and landing to ease ear pressure. Have a bottle or pacifier handy. Remember, breast milk is okay to bring on a plane, even with the 3.4-ounce liquid rule.

9. Entertain your baby

Keep your baby busy with toys from your diaper bag. If they like videos or games, bring headphones to keep others happy.

10. Stay calm

Your baby picks up on your feelings, so stay calm. Remember, lots of people travel with babies all the time. Even if your little one gets upset, you won't see those fellow passengers again.

Safe travels! You've got this.

Baby care

Bringing a new baby home can be exciting and daunting. As a parent, one crucial choice you'll make is which pediatrician will care for your baby’s health. Here are some helpful tips to guide you in your search.

Start early

It's a good idea to start looking for a doctor before your baby arrives. This gives you time to explore your options and make a careful choice. Ask for suggestions from friends, family, or your current healthcare provider.

Check your health plan

Call your health plan or visit their website to find in-network providers. Your plan might help pay for visits.

Look online

Check office reviews online. You can often find doctor reviews online too. Weigh the pros and cons, but don’t let this be the only deciding factor.

Visit the office

Take a visit to the doctor's office before deciding. This gives you a chance to see the office and meet the staff. A clean and friendly office may make you more comfy.

Ask questions

Don't be afraid to ask questions! Ask how the doctor handles vaccines, how to book appointments, and how they handle emergencies. It's important to feel confident in the care your baby will receive.

Make sure you’re comfortable

Trust your gut if it doesn't feel right or you don’t feel heard. You should feel safe talking to your doctor about your baby’s health.

Consider communication

Consider how easy it is to reach the doctor when you have questions. Clear communication is key. Choose a doctor who listens to your concerns and explains things in a way that is easy to learn.

Finding a doctor for your baby is a big decision. Give your baby’s life a healthy start by having a caring and trustworthy healthcare provider. This can give you peace of mind as you face the questions that come with becoming a parent.

Becoming a parent

Being pregnant, giving birth and becoming a parent are big life transitions. It’s not always just a happy time. Many pregnant people and new parents feel scared, overwhelmed, sad, angry or confused. Sometimes, especially if the birth did not go the way you planned, you might even be feeling traumatized by the experience. How you feel matters and it’s okay to need support during this time.

We know how exhausting and overwhelming it can be in the beginning. You are recovering from birth and trying to take care of a new baby all at the same time. There are lots of physical and emotional changes happening and often many other factors that contribute to how you feel. Sometimes it’s the “baby blues” that can happen during the first few weeks, but sometimes it’s more than that.

Pacify is here to support you from pregnancy through parenthood. We do that by making maternal mental health a number one priority. It’s no secret that reaching out for help is hard, so we’ve created this page especially for you with an evidence-based, mental health screening tool called the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2).

PHQ-2 Screening Tool

Instructions:

The PHQ-2 is a great tool that you can use to quickly and easily screen yourself for depression. It’s a first-step tool. If you’ve been having a hard time, but you’re not sure if you should reach out for help, ask yourself these two questions and choose one answer for each. Then add up your total score. Possible PHQ-2 scores range from 0-6. If your total score is 3 or greater, you should reach out for help and further screening as soon as possible. We have put together some recommendations and resources below to help you do that.

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Over the last two weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?	Not at all	Several days	More than half the days	Nearly every day
1. Little interest or pleasure in doing things	0	1	2	3
2. Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless	0	1	2	3

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Recommendations

If you score 3 or greater on the PHQ-2, please follow these recommendations:

Call your healthcare provider to ask for help and further screening with the PHQ-9. You can also take a mental health test by visiting Mental Health America at screening.mhanational.org/screening-tool.
Call one of the hotlines for support.
Join a perinatal mental health support group.
Reach out to family and friends to let them know how you are feeling and ask for help.
If you are in a crisis or feeling like hurting yourself or others please call 911.

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Hotlines

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline

Call or text 1-833-852-6262
24/7
‍mchb.hrsa.gov

Call hotline

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Postpartum Support International Hotline

Call or text "Help" 800-944-4773
Text en Español: 971-203-7773
8am-11pm EST
‍postpartum.net

Call hotline

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988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Call 988 or chat
24/7
‍988lifeline.org

Call hotline

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Resources

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Mental Health America

Mental Health America understands the importance of maternal mental health. They have multiple online mental health screening tests, including what they call a Depression Test (PHQ-9) and a Postpartum Depression Test (Edinburgh). You can track your results over time and share them with your healthcare provider.

Learn more >

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Postpartum Support International

Postpartum Support International offers many resources for moms, dads and families who are dealing with perinatal and postpartum depression or anxiety. You will find a hotline, weekly "Chat with an Expert" and perinatal mental health support groups. Reaching out and connecting with others can be so helpful!

Learn more >

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March of Dimes

March of Dimes is dedicated to healthy moms and strong babies. They have good information if you want to learn more about maternal mental health during pregnancy and postpartum.

Learn more about depression during pregnancy>

Learn more about postpartum depression>

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Sometimes it's helpful to have a friendly face

Pacify experts are here to help you! Go to the home screen in your Pacify app to talk to a care specialist.