How you spend the first moments with your new baby is so important. Studies show that human touch benefits both mental and physical health, and is especially helpful for newborn babies. In fact, it is so important that many hospitals have developed practices to encourage uninterrupted physical contact between mothers and babies right after delivery, regardless of how babies are born. Many hospitals call this time “The Golden Hour.” During this time non urgent procedures will be delayed until after your baby has had the opportunity to remain skin-to-skin and breastfeed in the first hour. The World Health Organization recommends ALL newborns receive skin to-skin care, regardless of the type of birth or the baby’s clinical condition at birth.¹ 

Benefits of Early and Uninterrupted Skin-to-Skin²

• Regulates your baby’s heart rate, breathing, oxygen levels, body temperature, blood circulation, and blood sugar levels
• Provides easy access and opportunity for earlier and more frequent breastfeeding
• Calms your baby quickly and reduces crying
• Stimulates baby’s natural feeding instincts
• Promotes bonding
• Protects your baby with good bacteria from your skin

Skin-to-Skin After Cesarean Birth

Mothers who need to deliver by cesarean section may wonder if their babies can also receive the benefits of immediate and uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact. Fortunately, many hospitals have changed their procedures to make immediate skin-to-skin possible in the operating room. If your hospital offers skin-to-skin care in the operating room, your baby will be immediately placed on your bare chest and remain there for the rest of surgery and recovery. Breastfeeding attempts may be made even before your surgery is complete. 

Not all hospitals have embraced uninterrupted skin-to-skin following surgical births and may have policies that separate you and your baby until you are in your recovery or postpartum room. For this reason, you are encouraged to discuss your desire for skin-to-skin with your provider and see if this can be an option following your baby’s birth. Because skin-to-skin care is known to support breastfeeding initiation and duration, organizations like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have guidelines that support skin-to-skin in the operating room.^3,4

How To Do Skin-To-Skin

In the early days, while you are both learning to breastfeed, keep your baby in just a diaper and hold them skin-to-skin as much as possible. Place a soft blanket over yourself and your baby for warmth or privacy if needed. Hold your baby against your body in a way that feels right for you. Many mothers find that leaning back with their baby on their chest between their breasts works best for them. In these early days, this will allow your baby to start to feed whenever they are ready. Breastfeeding positions such as football hold, can be especially helpful for mother’s recovering from cesarean birth. 

Tips For Success

• Take a prenatal breastfeeding class to educate yourself about what to expect during your delivery and recovery
• Discuss your preferences with your healthcare providers to help set the stage for the best start for breastfeeding 
• Schedule a tour of your hospital or birth center where you can learn about policies and procedures around labor and postpartum that can affect breastfeeding
• Ask if there will be an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) available at the hospital for help and support
• Create a birth plan to show how you want to labor and give birth; include your plans to breastfeed, your request for uninterrupted skin-to-skin after delivery, the delay of newborn procedures, and any other things that may be important to you during your hospital stay

Separation From Baby

There are some circumstances where mothers and babies need to be separated after delivery. If this should happen, it is important that hospital staff are aware that you want to initiate skin-to-skin and breastfeeding as soon as mother and baby are able to. 

During the time you are not with your baby, you should initiate hand expression and pumping  as soon as possible, ideally within the first hour or two of birth.⁵ This will allow baby to receive your colostrum (the first milk produced after delivery) until they are able to breastfeed directly. In cases where the baby is able to do skin-to-skin, but the mother is not, your support person can also hold your baby skin-to-skin to achieve the benefits listed.

Continued Skin-To-Skin

What If I Have Questions?

If you are interested in learning more, these Aeroflow classes expand on some of the topics discussed above:

• Ultimate Breastfeeding Prep 
• Birth & Breastfeeding
• The Brain-Boob Connection

Want More Info?

For a directory of Aeroflow’s other Care Guides offering information on pregnancy, baby care, and more, browse our comprehensive list of titles:

References