The Power of Skin-to-Skin In Your Breastfeeding Journey

The Power of Skin-to-Skin In Your Breastfeeding Journey

The moment your baby is placed on your chest after birth is more than just a heartwarming welcome—it’s a powerful, biological connection that supports both you and your baby in remarkable ways. Known as skin-to-skin contact or koala care, this simple act plays a vital role in establishing breastfeeding and promoting overall well-being for both mother and child.

What is Skin-to-Skin Contact?

Skin-to-skin contact involves placing your newborn—naked or in a nappy—directly on your bare chest immediately after birth. This intimate moment is often encouraged during the "golden hour," the first 60 minutes after delivery, when babies are naturally primed to seek the breast and latch for the first time.

But the benefits of skin-to-skin extend far beyond those first moments—they continue throughout your breastfeeding journey.

How Skin-to-Skin Supports Breastfeeding

Encourages the First Latch:
Newborns held skin-to-skin often exhibit the breast crawl, instinctively searching for the nipple and latching on their own. This early success helps build confidence for both mum and baby.1

Boosts Milk Supply:
The closeness of skin-to-skin contact stimulates the release of oxytocin—known as the love hormone—which not only strengthens bonding but also promotes milk letdown and increases supply.2

Promotes Calm, Stress-Free Feeding:
Babies held skin-to-skin cry less and remain calmer, making feeds more peaceful and effective. For mums, this contact can reduce stress and promote postpartum healing.3

Regulates Baby’s Vitals:
Your chest acts as a natural incubator, helping your baby regulate their body temperature, heart rate, and breathing—all essential for a smooth transition from womb to world.4

Supports Longer Breastfeeding Journeys:
Studies show that babies who experience frequent skin-to-skin contact are more likely to breastfeed exclusively for longer, setting the stage for a healthy breastfeeding journey.5

Beyond the Birth Room: Skin-to-Skin at Home

While the golden hour after birth is a prime opportunity for skin-to-skin, the benefits continue well into the newborn stage and beyond. Practising koala care during cluster feeds, when milk supply is low, or simply for comfort can help both mum and baby navigate breastfeeding challenges.

Tip: Keep baby close, enjoy the warmth, and let your body do what it was designed to do—nurture, comfort, and provide.

A Gentle Reminder

Breastfeeding is more than nourishment—it's connection. And skin-to-skin is one of the most powerful ways to nurture that bond. Whether it's immediately after birth or during quiet moments at home, embrace koala care as a simple, beautiful way to support your journey.


References

  1. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Skin-to-skin contact helps newborns breastfeed. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/westernpacific/newsroom/feature-stories/item/skin-to-skin-contact-helps-newborns-breastfeed
  2. Frontiers in Psychology. (2020). The Role of Oxytocin in Human Lactation. Retrieved from https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01921/full
  3. UNICEF UK. (n.d.). Skin-to-Skin Contact. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/news-and-research/baby-friendly-research/research-supporting-breastfeeding/skin-to-skin-contact/
  4. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Early Breastfeeding and Skin-to-Skin Contact. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/tools/elena/review-summaries/early-breastfeeding--early-skin-to-skin-contact-for-mothers-and-their-healthy-newborn-infants
  5. International Breastfeeding Journal. (2021). Skin-to-Skin Contact and Exclusive Breastfeeding. Retrieved from https://internationalbreastfeedingjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13006-021-00379-z
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