Research has shown that being put skin-to-skin with the mother in the first hour after birth have distinct short- and long-term advantages for the baby’s physically and emotional development.
Other advantages include:
• The baby cries less• The baby has a balanced body temperature
• Optimal blood glucose levels in the baby
• Increased calmness (skin-to-skin reduces the stress of the birth)
• Breastfeeding reflexes awaken naturally• Optimal bonding between mother and baby
• The mother has an increased sensitivity to the baby’s needs (long-term as well according to research done at one year of age)
• Baby has Increased ability to self-regulate (long-term as well according to research done at one year of age)
During the first hour after birth, while placed in skin-to-skin, the newborn goes through 9 distinctive stages:
1. The Birth Cry – distinctive cry immediately after birth
2. Relaxation – baby has no hand movements and is relaxing om mother’s skin
3. Awakening – this stage occurs about 3 min after birth, baby starts showing head movements, the eyes may open and there is mouth activity
4. Activity – occurs about 8min after birth, increased mouthing, baby may be looking around, rooting and massaging the breast
5. Rest – rest can be intertwined during/between the different stages
6. Crawling – occurs about 35min after birth, baby starts crawling on mother’s chest, might leap, slide and root as well
7. Familiarisation – occurs about 40 min after birth, baby will look at mother, touch and lick the breast and might make sound to get mothers attention
8. Suckling – occurs about 60min after birth, baby will self-attach to the breast and start suckling
9. Sleep – occurs about 90-120min after birth, baby will fall into a relaxed and restful sleep
Skin-to-skin can also be a valuable tool to use during the whole of the fourth trimester (first 12weeks after birth) – as it will comfort and sooth a fussy baby, promote continued breastfeeding and increase mother-baby bonding.
Written by:
Sr. Madeleine de Swardt
2 June 2021