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Breastfeeding > The Importance of Skin to Skin
An immense amount of research
on the value of skin-to-skin contact (also known as Kangaroo
Care) has been done in relation to mother/baby bonding ,health
and infant development. According to Dr Nils Bergman, a
South African pediatrician whose work with premature infants
has revolutionized how babies are cared for in special care
units, “Mothers don’t breastfeed, babies
breastfeed. The mother’s body is simply the habitat
where the baby feeds”.
Babies need to be close to their mothers in order to trigger
certain instincts and brain functions and mothers need to
be close to their babies to encourage the release of natural
hormones necessary for milk production. Immediately following
delivery, the baby should be placed naked on the mother’s
chest. All unnecessary procedures can be delayed until mother
and baby have had time to see, touch, sense and smell each
other; it is a normal transition to the outside world for
the baby and a distinctive transition into motherhood for
his mother.
A baby who is skin to skin with
his mother:
- Has a more stable body temperature
- Can stabilize his heart
rate and blood pressure
- Has higher blood sugars
- Cries up to ten times less
- Is more likely to latch
on well and breastfeed
- Is more likely to breastfeed
longer
- Has less stress
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The hormones
released during skin to skin contact encourage the unique
bonding between mother and child and are important for the
development of the infant’s brain and nervous system.
Dads can enjoy skin to skin time with their babies too.
The sense of hearing is developing at around 6 months of
pregnancy, so the baby already recognizes his Dad’s
voice. Being placed on his Dad’s chest will encourage
that special Dad/baby relationship. The baby’s sense
of smell is heightened at birth so, along with the sound
of his Dad’s voice, the smell of his skin and sense
of touch through skin contact, your baby will feel loved
and safe.
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