Benefits of skin to skin with your baby

This practice causes the release of oxytocin by the mother, a hormone known as “the hormone of love”. In addition to promoting bonding between mother and baby, oxytocin stimulates uterine retraction, which reduces postpartum hemorrhage. In addition, this hormone is responsible for the ejection of milk.

We can say then that skin-to-skin contact favors breastfeeding, by stimulating the release of oxytocin and by allowing the mother’s breast with its texture and aroma to be available to the baby. There are numerous studies showing how skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth promotes short- and long-term breastfeeding.

Other benefits are the reduction of cortisol in mother and child, a hormone closely linked to stress. The baby regulates his heart and respiratory rate better, has less chance of presenting hypoglycemia, that is, low blood sugar, cries less and decreases his irritability. In addition, contact allows you to better regulate your body temperature and keep it within normal ranges.

On the other hand, it decreases the possibility that the mother presents postpartum depression, increases positive affectivity and adaptation to the signals of her children.