The Link Between Skin-to-Skin and Breastfeeding
Skin-to-skin contact involves placing a naked baby on the bare chest of the mother, belly to belly, with a light blanket on top. This concept was introduced in Colombia in the 1980s for premature babies. Doctors found that when these premature babies were placed in skin-to-skin contact as often as possible, they spent less time in the NICU.
Incredible, right? However, this skin-to-skin contact is also vital for full-term babies and for the start of any breastfeeding. I'll explain why right away.
Skin-to-Skin and Oxytocin
Oxytocin is one of the two key hormones in breastfeeding. It allows the myoepithelial cells around the lactocytes (cells that produce and store milk) to contract and therefore release milk towards the nipple when the baby starts to suckle. In addition, oxytocin is the love hormone that helps to bond the mother and baby at birth. Oxytocin is the ultimate antidepressant hormone that therefore greatly reduces the risk of postpartum depression in the mother. It also allows the mother to relax, rest and sleep much more soundly. Oxytocin is the orgasm hormone in women (and men, too). Finally, it is the magical hormone of well-being and Love with a capital L.
You may have guessed it: skin-to-skin contact increases oxytocin production in the mother, which makes it easier to start breastfeeding (but that's not all...).
The First Skin-to-Skin Breastfeeding
The first breastfeeding, called the first discovery breastfeeding, takes place directly after the baby is born (within the first hour). At birth, the baby will be placed on the mother's chest in skin-to-skin contact for at least 50 minutes. These 50 minutes of skin-to-skin contact increase the chances of the baby taking the breast spontaneously by 8 times. (1)
This first skin-to-skin contact after birth encourages the baby to seek the breast innately to meet its needs. The baby's position on the stomach allows it to use its arms and legs to climb up to the mother's breast, extend its neck to place its chin on the breast and latch on with its mouth wide open.
In addition, the smells (2) of the mother and baby will be reassuring for both. The pheromones secreted by the Montgomery glands located on the areola will naturally stimulate the baby's attachment to the breast and make it want to drink. The dark color of the nipple (3) stimulates the newborn's eyes to open and reduces its crying. The early touching of the mother's nipple by the baby (4) encourages them to have more contact with each other. And finally, it is during this skin-to-skin contact that the baby already hears its mother's voice (5). This reassures him and encourages him to search for the breast.
As you can see, the skin-to-skin and breastfeeding duo is therefore crucial for a successful start.
When to do Skin-to-Skin?
Just for fun when you feel like it.
Directly at birth to promote this first discovery breastfeeding that is so important for getting your breastfeeding off to a good start.
In the days following the birth of your baby, I also recommend that you breastfeed your baby skin-to-skin. This will reassure him and encourage him to drink better, more effectively.
When baby cries, has colic, reflux.
To rest with baby.
With dad of course.
(1) Gomez Papi A et al. (1998) Kangaroo method in the delivery room for full-term babies (2) Varendi H et al. (2001) Breast odor as the only maternal stimulus elicits crawling towards the odor source (3) Doucet S et al. (2007) The “smellscape” of mother’s breast: effects of odor masking and selective unmasking on neonatal arousal, oral, and visual responses (4) Prodromidis M et al. (1995) Mothers touching newborns: a comparison of rooming-in versus minimal contact (5) Fifer WP et al. (1994) The role of mother’s voice in the organization
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