How Skin-to-Skin Contact Benefits Newborns
From the moment your baby enters the world, they crave warmth, comfort, and connection. One of the most powerful ways to provide this is through skin-to-skin contact—a simple yet deeply beneficial practice where your newborn rests directly against your bare chest.
Early bonding plays a crucial role in a child’s overall development. The love and security built through early interactions, like skin-to-skin contact, set the foundation for strong emotional, cognitive, and physical growth. In fact, this first form of communication is closely tied to many of the same principles we use in Early Intervention—nurturing a child’s development through responsive and intentional interactions.
What is Skin-to-Skin Contact?
Skin-to-skin contact, often called "kangaroo care," involves placing a diapered newborn directly against a parent’s bare chest. This practice is encouraged immediately after birth, but its benefits extend well beyond the newborn stage. Whether in the hospital or at home, skin-to-skin time provides warmth, comfort, and security for your baby while promoting healthy development.
Who can do skin-to-skin contact?
Moms—right after birth, during feeding, or anytime the baby needs comfort.
Dads & caregivers—an important bonding experience that strengthens connections and provides security.
The Benefits of Skin-to-Skin Contact
1. Supports Brain Development & Early Learning
Did you know that your baby’s brain grows the fastest in the first three years of life? During this time, early experiences shape brain connections that influence everything from speech to emotional regulation.
Skin-to-skin contact promotes calmness and focus, allowing your baby’s brain to form secure connections that support cognitive and emotional development.
Encourages strong parent-child attachment, which is key for language development and social skills.
Helps regulate stress hormones, allowing babies to feel safe and ready to learn from their surroundings.
Boosts sensory awareness, which helps babies recognize familiar voices, smells, and heartbeats.
2. Regulates Body Temperature, Breathing, and Heart Rate
Newborns are still learning how to regulate their own body systems. When placed skin-to-skin, a parent’s warmth naturally helps stabilize the baby’s temperature—reducing the risk of hypothermia.
Studies have also shown that babies held skin-to-skin:
Breathe more evenly and experience fewer dips in oxygen levels.
Maintain a steady heart rate, mimicking the rhythm they heard in the womb.
Cry less, as the close contact provides reassurance and comfort.
For babies born prematurely or with medical complications, skin-to-skin time can be especially beneficial, helping them adjust to life outside the womb.
3. Enhances Emotional & Social Development
Babies who experience consistent nurturing touch develop stronger emotional bonds and a sense of security. This early connection helps:
Reduce stress and anxiety by releasing oxytocin, the “love hormone.”
Foster trust and emotional stability, which supports later social interactions.
Build a secure attachment, laying the foundation for healthy relationships.
Early Intervention programs often focus on caregiver-child interactions, reinforcing how responsive parenting (like skin-to-skin contact) helps babies feel safe, valued, and ready to engage with the world.
4. Encourages Successful Breastfeeding
For breastfeeding mothers, skin-to-skin contact plays a significant role in establishing and maintaining milk supply. Babies held skin-to-skin:
Are more likely to latch properly and feed effectively.
Experience fewer feeding difficulties, as the closeness triggers natural feeding instincts.
Have more stable blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of newborn weight loss.
But even if you aren’t breastfeeding, skin-to-skin time strengthens the parent-child bond, supporting emotional closeness and responsive feeding habits.
Bringing Skin-to-Skin Into Your Daily Routine
You don’t have to be in the hospital to experience the benefits of skin-to-skin contact! Here are some simple ways to incorporate it into your daily routine:
After feeding – Hold your baby against your chest for comfort and bonding.
During fussy moments – Skin-to-skin can help calm an overstimulated baby.
Before naps – A few minutes of closeness can help regulate their sleep patterns.
After bath time – Wrap your baby in a blanket and hold them close for warmth and security.
Even older infants benefit from skin-to-skin cuddles, so don’t hesitate to use this bonding time beyond the newborn stage!
Every Little Moment Counts
The simple act of holding your baby close creates a foundation for learning, emotional security, and growth. Whether it’s through skin-to-skin contact or engaging interactions as they grow, these early connections make a lasting impact.
At Encompass Family Support Services, we’re here to help every step of the way. If you have questions about your child’s development, we invite you to schedule a free screening or explore our Early Intervention resources.
Because every child deserves a strong start—one heartbeat, one cuddle, one milestone at a time.
