The magic of skin-to-skin: why that first cuddle matters more than you think!
There are so many amazing benefits of skin-to-skin contact after birth for you and your baby, from bonding and breastfeeding to temperature regulation and calmer newborns.
You’ve probably seen those beautiful photos of a brand-new baby lying on their mum’s chest, tiny, wrinkly, and calm, (extra cute with the furry ears or shoulders!) That moment isn’t just adorable; it’s actually doing incredible things for both of you.
It’s called skin-to-skin contact, and it’s one of the simplest, most powerful ways to support your baby’s health and emotional wellbeing, and your own.
🤱 What is skin-to-skin contact?
Skin-to-skin means placing your naked baby (wearing only a nappy) directly onto your bare chest right after birth, ideally within the first hour, (but it can happen anytime as we know sometimes that cannot be the case.) A warm blanket or towel is usually placed over you both, and you just… rest together. It’s nature’s version of a welcome hug.
🌡️ The science behind it
Research has shown that immediate skin-to-skin contact helps your baby in some amazing ways: Regulates their temperature, heart rate, and breathing. Newborns can’t control their temperature well, but your body literally adjusts its temperature to help them stay warm. Reduces stress hormones. Babies who have early skin-to-skin cry less and show lower signs of stress. Stabilises blood sugar. That first hour is a big adjustment, and skin-to-skin helps their glucose levels stay balanced.Supports brain development.
Gentle touch and warmth help release oxytocin (“the love hormone”) in both you and your baby, which boosts bonding and emotional regulation.
🤱 Skin-to-skin and breastfeeding
If you’re planning to breastfeed, skin-to-skin is one of the best things you can do to help get feeding off to a great start. When your baby lies on your chest, they use their natural instincts; smelling, rooting, and wriggling, to find the breast and latch on. Babies who have early skin-to-skin are more likely to: breastfeed sooner after birth, feed for longer, have better milk intake in the early days.
Even if you’re not breastfeeding, the benefits of skin-to-skin for bonding, calming, and connection are just as powerful.
🩹 What if I have a caesarean birth?
You can absolutely still have skin-to-skin after a caesarean.
Many hospitals now support immediate or early skin-to-skin in theatre, as long as you and baby are well. If that’s not possible right away, your partner can have skin-to-skin instead, and you can enjoy it as soon as you’re ready. It’s never “too late.” Whether it’s minutes, hours, or days later, your baby will still benefit.
👨👩👧 Skin-to-skin isn’t just for mums
Dads and partners can (and should!) do skin-to-skin too.
It helps with bonding, regulates baby’s temperature, and gives you both a confidence boost in those early days.
🌿 Keep it going
While that first hour after birth is magical, you don’t have to stop there.
Skin-to-skin can be wonderful in the days and weeks that follow — after feeds, during cuddles, or when your baby is unsettled. It’s one of the easiest ways to reconnect and calm you both, especially during those “what even is sleep?” nights.
💕 The bottom line
Skin-to-skin isn’t just a lovely photo opportunity, it’s one of nature’s best-designed bonding tools.
It helps your baby feel safe, calm, and connected, and reminds you both that you were made for each other. So when your baby arrives, take a deep breath, pop them on your chest, and soak it all in.
It’s not just a cuddle, it’s literally doing amazing things for you both!
