Skin-To-Skin Contact and Breastfeeding for Newborns

Introduction:

Lactation consultants and doctors always insist on Kangaroo mother care or skin-to-skin (STS) contact and breastfeeding for the newborns. Mothers who get to see their first baby after delivery are advised to practice these two things that are beneficial for their body and their baby’s too. This kind of practice has become popular in the recent years. This practice can be followed anytime the baby needs comforting or calming. The practice also boosts breast milk supply and encourages a healthy body and mind regulating hormone production in the baby and the mother. Not only a mother, STS is encouraged in fathers too. If a mother is not able to or available to comfort a newborn due to unforeseen circumstances, a father is expected to provide care to the child exactly as a mother would.

Why is STS contact important?

Sleep Baker’s gentle sleep consultant Sydney. team has put together the many benefits of skin-to-skin care (STS) or Kangaroo mother care for a newborn. One of the most important advantages of STS is that it helps the baby in regulating their body temperature. As soon as the baby comes out of their mother’s womb, the temperature changes and being in STS contact will ensure that the baby gets the same warmth and touch of their mother’s bare skin that they were used to before birth. The body temperature of newborn babies can be difficult to regulate, and STS contact can assist in regulating it. The parent's body provides warmth to the baby, which aids in the prevention of a condition known as hypothermia. It is a kind of medical emergency where a person or an infant loses heat faster than their body can produce. As the body temperature falls below the normal body temperature 95 F/35 C hypothermia occurs. Thus, it’s important to follow STS for infants.

For a baby the safest and well known place is their mother. Even when the baby has not opened their eyes and seen their mother’s face or heard their mothers cooing sounds, they can feel it through their skin. Thus, when a baby is placed on his/her mother's chest, STS contact stabilises their heart rate, breathing rate, oxygen level and blood glucose level. It is believed that the mother's chest is the 'natural environment' for a newborn baby. When a baby hears his mother’s heartbeat it naturally helps in calming and relaxing them. This also enhances the bonding between a mother and a child. If the parent is a father, it helps in creating a new bond between them. The hormone that stimulates affection and love, well known as oxytocin is released, which helps babies feel their parent’s breathing and heartbeat. This further helps in establishing a strong connection between the baby and its parents.

STS contact stimulates breastfeeding says the lactation consultant Sydney team at Sleep Baker. It helps in an increased frequency and enhanced duration of breastfeeding. Many mothers face a difficulty in breast milk production or latching of the baby to the breast. They are two different issues, but they are interrelated. One may happen because of the other. If the baby fails to latch on to the breast, the milk production automatically reduces. The same happens other way round. If the milk production is less, the baby may slowly stop suckling. Both of these lead to severe consequences mentally and physically for both mother and the baby. STS contact is the solution to resolve this issue. Upon being positioned on its mother's chest, a newborn baby is in close proximity to the breast and can detect the scent of its mother's milk. Stimulating the baby's natural rooting and suckling reflexes can make breastfeeding more successful.

Even a baby may get stressed leading to increased levels of cortisols. If the baby perceives the environment to be unfamiliar and disconnected from its mother, it can cause stress. The baby keeps crying to show their stress. Studies have shown that STS contact can reduce stress and crying in newborn babies. A baby's feeling of safety and security when placed on their parent's chest can help reduce stress by lowering their cortisol level. As the parent's presence comforts and soothes the baby, there may be less crying and peaceful sleeping. Yes STS contact also promotes better sleep in both mother and the baby. Sleep regulates and repairs the stressed body muscles of a mother who had just delivered the baby. Sleep helps in the growth and repair of the baby’s body. Holding a baby close to their parent's chest can make them feel secure and help them relax and fall asleep more easily. Better brain development in newborn babies has been observed through STS contact. Promoting neural pathways in the brain can lead to better cognitive function later in life, which can be achieved through close physical contact and stimulation from the parent's touch.

When Can You Start STS Contact?

It's normal for you to ask to hold your baby right after birth, depending on your condition and your baby's medical situation after delivery. As a mother, you can practice STS contact immediately or soon after birth, regardless of whether you gave birth vaginally or via a cesarean section. It's a good idea to include in your birth plan that you would like STS contact to begin as soon as possible after delivery and to be undisturbed. As a father, you have the option to initiate STS contact at any time. If the mother is under post partum care after a C-section delivery, this is the best time for a father to have some STS contact with your newborn. When the mother is feeling better, she can go back to STS contact.

Conclusion

It’s best to make a complete use of the “The Golden Hour”. According to research, the bonding between mother and newborn can be rapidly increased during the first hour of the delivery of the baby. STS contact should be introduced immediately after birth, preferably within the first hour. The 'golden hour' is the time when both you and your baby are prepared to form a strong chemical bond. Doctors today understand the significance of the golden hour. They allow the mother and newborn STS contact and breastfeeding shortly after birth. After the golden hour has passed and the baby and the mother bonding have been achieved to an extent, medical examination, protocol and procedures can be conducted. At Sleep Baker the night nannies Sydney team helps learn newborn’s parents about sleep regression and provide 4-month sleep regression solution.

About Sleep Baker:

Sleep Baker is a baby Sleep Consultancy that helps babies, toddlers self-settle and night care for seniors. The timings and methods are customised according to the personal requirements. They offer sleep training packages, maternity support overnight care, consultation, text support and travel nanny facilities. To find out more about us and our services, please visit https://sleepbaker.com/