Skin-to-skin benefits for your fourth trimester

That have nothing to do with how you feed your baby

The benefits of skin-to-skin with your newborn are countless. This simple practice in the first few hours, days and weeks of your baby’s life can work so much magic from controlling your bleeding, to regulating their vital signs, reducing the risk of postpartum mood disorders, promoting bonding and so much more.

The opportunity for skin-to-skin starts right at golden hour after baby is born, but certainly doesn’t stop there. If for whatever reason your golden hour is interrupted, please don’t think for one second your chances at all of these benefits are squashed. You have so many more opportunities to start, and the benefits don’t fade.

Even if you have a c-section, even if your baby went to the NICU, even if you don’t plan to breastfeed, even if your baby needs phototherapy, even if…anything, there is always a conversation that can be had about initiating skin-to-skin care in some capacity. It’s always worth it.

Many times, routine exams and tasks done in the hospital or birth center can be performed while baby remains skin-to-skin. If this isn’t already offered to you, it’s worth asking about! More and more nurses and facilities are getting comfortable with performing these tasks at the bedside. You should see the silly positions I get myself into just to get a blood draw or a temperature on a baby without moving them sometimes!

Well into the rest of infancy and toddlerhood, a little skin-to-skin time can go a long way. This is only the beautiful beginning.

Your postpartum nurses Meg and Carly here to prepare you for postpartum and beyond. We want to make sure you have the education you need to care for your own healing body after birth, not just your baby.

Postpartum prep courses occurring virtually and regularly intended to be taken during pregnancy are now open for registration. Our return to work support group is pay what you can and supports that tough back to work transition. Then join us in our online community for the growth, support and empowerment to continue <3