How Skin to Skin Contact Can Improve Baby Sleep

Let me tell you a secret. Skin to skin contact is one of Mother Nature’s most powerful weapons, not just for babies. There is nothing like the feeling you get when someone gives you a hug right when you need it. Or when you get an excellent massage or someone you really like holds your hand. Human contact is one of the most basic yet most essential forms of communication for us all. Now here’s the most amazing part (and probably why you’re here, reading this): research has shown that babies (and parents) are not only happier when they engage in skin to skin sessions but that the act can also help babies to sleep better. Read on to find out how…

What is skin to skin?

Skin to skin is just that- baby’s skin next to yours. No blankets, no clothes and no barriers between you. This can take place as soon as possible after birth and at regular intervals afterwards as baby grows older.

What are the benefits of skin to skin?

According to Julie Arvan of Nesting Days,

Skin to skin is so vitally important for newborns! Nature has equipped newborns with the instinct to survive, and they will expend an extraordinary amount of energy to make sure they get what they need: warmth, nutrition, and love. Skin to skin care provides all three!

You can’t spoil a baby by holding it too much in those early months. There’s a time and place for a routine with older babies, but skin to skin time is simply the most important and most effective thing you can do for a newborn baby and its mother.

Skin to skin immediately after birth will help to:

stabilise baby’s temperature
stabilise baby’s heart rate and breathing
allow baby to colonise mother’s bacteria (immediately after birth) which is essential for the prevention of allergies
form a bond between baby and parent
reduce stress levels of baby and parent
aid and facilitate breastfeeding

It’s important to note that all of the above benefits will help your baby to sleep better.

Skin to skin for premature babies

Studies have also found that skin to skin contact benefits premature babies hugely. Kangaroo Care is the term used to describe babies who are held closely by parents in skin to skin contact for prolonged periods of time in the special care units at hospital. These premature babies can regulate their temperatures just as well as they would inside an incubator. Other benefits include:

better sleep, which aids growth and preserves energy
less stress for babies when undergoing special care treatments
better weight gain
fewer illnesses and infections
earlier discharge from special care
more chance of long term breastfeeding success

and for the parents of premature babies, Kangaroo Care means that they can bond with their baby and grow in confidence despite the often daunting experience of being in special care. It’s worth noting that Kangaroo Care can be practised with full term babies too.

For more information please see here.

Getting started with skin to skin

So now we know what skin to skin is and why it is so important- here are some tips to doing it.

Immediately after birth

Have baby placed directly onto mother’s chest (or father, if mother is unable) immediately after birth
Ensure that baby’s head is turned to the side and airways are open
Hold baby close for as long as possible, up to an hour or more.

Some parents prefer to have skin to skin contact for up to two hours after birth and to request doctors carry out health checks after this time.

In the days after birth

In the days following birth, and indeed the weeks and months following birth too, skin to skin remains an important and essential tool for baby and parent. If you can, take some time each day (up to an hour is best) to hold your baby against your skin, with baby stripped down to his diaper and your chest without clothes. Some parents find skin to skin works well in the bathtub, so don’t be afraid to run the water a little deeper and take a dip yourself.

During your skin to skin sessions, an hour is recommended as baby will be able to go through an entire sleep/ wake cycle, and the biological system is given a chance to stabilise.

Skin to skin after a c-section

This is possible! Some mothers can hold their babies in the theatre, and some must wait until recovery. If you’re unable to hold your baby in theatre, your partner can enjoy skin to skin with baby until you’re ready. Speak to your medical team and let them know that you want to do this. And while we’re at it, skin to skin sessions with dad can be just as beneficial as with mum.