Skin to skin

Skin-to-skin is where your baby is placed directly onto your skin or your birth partners bare skin after birth. This is encouraged as soon as possible after birth.

Skin-to-skin has been shown to promote the starting of breast feeding. It can help with bonding with you and your baby and can even impact baby and mum’s wellbeing following birth.

Skin-to-skin might not be possible for lots of reasons or may not be possible immediately. This may be because you may not be well enough and baby may not be in the best condition and may need some extra care. As soon as skin-to-skin is possible, you are more than welcome to take that opportunity.

Skin-to-skin can also be done with your birthing partner if you are not well enough and are happy with that. This also has benefits for your birthing partner and helps with bonding with your baby.