Skin-to-skin contact.

Benefits of skin-to-skin

Benefits for Baby ⁽¹⁾

• Helps their ability to fight infection
• Helps them become familiar with the smell of other family members
• Builds attachment and strong bond with their caregiver
• Provides soothing comfort and pain relief
• Helps to regulate heart rate, oxygen saturation, breathing, temperature, and blood pressure
• Improves breastfeeding and weight gain
• Improves sleep and brain development

Benefits for Parents/Caregivers ⁽¹⁾

• Creates a strong bond and connection with baby
• Builds love and attachment with baby
• Increases confidence
• Lowers stress and anxiety
• Helps improve milk supply
• Helps moms breastfeed longer
• Helps moms and babies breastfeed better and sooner

Anywhere, anytime, and often

Skin-to-skin contact can benefit you and your baby anytime, not just during painful procedures. The more time in skin-to-skin contact, the better! ⁽⁴⁾

Skin-to-skin contact is a powerful way for you to reduce your baby’s pain and stress during painful procedures.⁽²⁾

It is really important to hold your baby in skin-to-skin contact before, during, and after painful procedures, such as blood tests or during routine immunizations. When your baby needs a procedure, talk to your healthcare provider about planning procedures around skin-to-skin contact!

How do I hold my baby in skin-to-skin?

Step 1: Prepare

Plan time

• Talk with your healthcare provider to find out when the procedure is planned for your baby
• Give yourself and your baby 15 minutes to snuggle in skin-to-skin before any painful procedures!

Take care of your needs

• Take time now to use the washroom, grab a snack, water etc., so you can snuggle for a while once your baby is skin-to-skin
• Remember to wash your hands well before touching your baby

Get changed

• Wear a comfortable top that lets you easily put your baby onto your bare chest, like a loose shirt or button up. Prefer to go topless? No problem! Choose whichever way you are most comfortable!
• Grab a baby blanket to put over you and your baby's back once they are snuggled in!

Take care of your baby’s needs

• Check that your baby’s needs have also been taken care of. For example, does your baby need a diaper change?

Step 2: Get set up

• Set up a comfy space! Try tucking pillows under your arms to make sure you can relax in this position
• Ensure your personal items are within reach
• Undress your baby, they should be wearing only a diaper. If it's cool in the room, make sure to have put a hat on your baby and a light blanket to drape over your baby's back
• Place your baby upright flat against your bare chest under loose clothing or a light blanket ⁽¹⁾
• Check the placement of your baby's face. Make sure their face is turned in towards you but that their nose and mouth has room to breathe!
• When in hospital the person doing the procedure may not be your nurse, but a lab technician instead. Make sure that you have an extra blanket handy if you would like to cover you and your baby during the procedure

Step 3: Enjoy!

• Settle in for some seriously cute snuggling!
• Relax in skin-to-skin for at least 15 minutes before a painful procedure
• Once the procedure is over, snuggle until your baby is settled and appears calm

Anyone can hold your baby in skin-to-skin contact when you are not available! ^(5,6)

It might be scary the first few times you hold your baby in skin-to-skin contact; many parents feel this way! The more often you hold them this way, the more secure and confident you will feel!