Seeing your baby for the first time is a moment you will never forget, as all those months of preparing and dreaming finally become real.
Here at Emerson Hospital’s Clough Birthing Center, when your baby is born we place him or her directly on your chest for what is called skin-to-skin contact — and a unique bonding experience. A warm blanket is placed over your baby, and the two of you are given time to get acquainted. This initial snuggling also has very important health benefits.
The health benefits of skin-to-skin contact
Skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth has been shown to have these positive effects on newborn and new mother:
Babies
Breastfeed better
Cry less and are calmer
Stay warmer
Have better blood sugar levels
Have a more stable and normal heart rate and blood pressure
Are protected by some of your good bacteria
Mothers
Breastfeed more easily
Learn cues that their baby is getting hungry
Bond more with their baby
Gain confidence and contentment in caring for their baby
The best start for breastfeeding is when a baby is kept skin-to-skin with the mother immediately after birth until the first feeding. The baby’s sense of smell allows him or her to find the breast to begin the initial latch.
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