Skin-to-skin contact involves holding your baby with their skin touching your skin. This can be done by undressing your baby down to their diaper and holding them against your bare chest. It is also known as kangaroo care.

Offering skin-to-skin cuddles is more than just soothing; it has also been shown to regulate your baby’s body temperature, heart rate, and breathing. It’s common for your labor and delivery team to recommend kangaroo care in the hospital after birth, but it’s beneficial to continue at home for as long as you’d like!

There are benefits for you as a parent, too. Skin-to-skin time can promote breastfeeding, bonding, and may lower stress or anxiety.

Try wearing button-down shirts to make it easier to offer skin-to-skin time in your days together!