From that first magical moment when your newborn baby is placed skin to skin on your chest, something amazing begins to happen.
That direct close contact triggers an array of fantastic benefits for both of you, which you can tap into & enjoy whenever the mood takes you.
Who’d have thought a simple snuggle could be so powerful!
Discover our range of skin to skin tops online now
What are the benefits of skin to skin snuggles?
1) Relieves stress & promotes bonding
Being born is a stressful business.
But that first hour of skin to skin contact with you is the perfect way to help your new baby calm down & get used to being out in the world.
The warmth from your skin, the familiar sound of your heartbeat & even your voice will soothe your little one.
And the magic works for you & your partner too – skin to skin contact with your baby releases oxytocin (the happy hormone) and lowers cortisol levels (the stress hormone), helping you all to bond as a family.
2) Lowers risk of postnatal depression
According to the NHS, around 1 in 10 new mothers will experience some level of postnatal depression within a year of giving birth.
The natural increase in oxytocin & lower levels of cortisol brought on during skin to skin time can be an effective way to combat this.
Though of course, it goes without saying that if you are struggling with postnatal depression, you should get in touch with your GP or midwife as soon as possible to seek professional advice & support.
3) Stabilises temperature, breathing & heart rate
Did you know that your breasts will actually warm up or cool down in response to your baby’s temperature?
Mums of twins may even find that one breast warms and the other cools if your babies’ temperatures are different – mind, blown!
Meanwhile, your own breathing & heart rate will help to regulate your baby’s.
4) Minimises pain & reduces crying
Studies show that babies held skin to skin tend to cry less than those who are not. This makes sense if you think about a baby’s cry as a ‘separation distress call’.
They also experience less pain during necessary clinical procedures like the heel stick blood test.
As far as we’re concerned, less pain & crying can only be a good thing.
5) Boosts baby’s immune system
Not all bacteria are bad – in fact some play a very important role in protecting us from infection.
Skin to skin snuggling allows the friendly bacteria on your skin to colonise your baby’s – boosting their immune system & keeping them healthy & protected as they grow.
6) Encourages breastfeeding
If you & your baby are left in peace to enjoy skin to skin time, your baby will eventually seek out your breast by him or herself & begin to feed.
And another amazing benefit of all that oxytocin rushing around your system is that it will boost your milk supply – helping you to feed for longer.
Discover our Skin to Skin Tops – Perfect for the first year with baby
Here at Seraphine, we have developed the perfect tops to help you & your little one enjoy skin to skin time while remaining covered up & comfy.
Find out more about our Skin to Skin Tops here.
Who’d have thought a simple snuggle could be so powerful!