Skin-to-skin contact is usually referred to as the practice where a baby is dried and laid directly

on the mother’s bare chest after birth, both of them covered in a warm blanket and left for at
least an hour or until after the first feed. Skin-to-skin contact can also take place any time a
baby needs comforting or calming and can help boost a mother’s milk supply. Here it helps
parents bond with their baby and supports better physical and developmental outcomes for the
baby.

- The prone position (lying on the tummy/breast) may improve oxygen saturation, respiratory
function, digestion, and sleep

- provide warmth; vital for baby’s comfort and safety.

 Regulates body temperature. Your body becomes a natural incubator and regulates
itself depending on the temperature needs of the baby. Studies have shown that your
breasts can adjust to match the temperature of your baby, increasing in temperature if
your baby’s cold, decreasing in temperature if your baby is hot.
 Stabilizes the baby's breathing, heartbeat, and more. This time together can also help
regulate the baby’s breathing and heartbeat, stabilize his blood sugar levels, and aid
sleep. It may also have a positive effect on the baby's brain development.

 Mom’s mature immune system passes antibodies through the skin and breast milk to
baby. Skin-to-skin contact also increases baby’s skin hydration, providing a protective
barrier that prevents harmful bacteria from entering through baby’s skin.
 Encourages breastfeeding. As your baby’s heart rate is synchronized with yours, a
calming hormone is released in her body that allows her to nurse sooner, and for
longer. At the same time, your body also releases a hormone called prolactin, which
stimulates milk production.