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Up Close and Personal with Skin-to-Skin Contact




Skin-to-skin contact has great benefits for the baby, the birth parent, and the non-birth parent.


Start by including your desire for immediate skin-to-skin contact with your baby in your birth place. Some medical professions will clean the baby first and others will not. Having the baby rest on mom’s chest covered by a blanket is a wonderful way to help the baby transition from the cozy womb into the “real world” and aids in immediate bonding.


Of course, some circumstances mean that skin-to-skin contact might be delayed. This is okay. Skin-to-skin contact at any time between the newborn baby and the birth parent or the baby and the non-birth parent helps promote bonding and emotional attachment. 


There is scientific evidence that there are tremendous benefits for the baby. Look at this amazing list of what skin-to-skin contact can do for your newborn:


  • Regulate heartbeat and breathing


  • Increase a weight gain


  • Improve oxygen saturation levels


  • Maintain body temperature


  • Support breastfeeding


  • Result in longer periods of sleep


And, scientific evidence aside, is there anything sweeter than a newborn nestled on your chest?


If you want more time for holding and getting to know your newborn, Tennessee Family Doulas’ are ready to provide in-home and overnight care for as long as you need us. This includes newborn comfort techniques, birth recovery support, meal preparation for maintaining hydration/nutrition, sibling care, light household support, and so much more!



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