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Information can be found from:
Mothers planning to breastfeed should:
Nipple preparation is not required in pregnancy.
Skin-to-skin contact is when the baby is placed directly from birth onto the mother’s chest or abdomen. The newborn’s skin touches the mother’s skin. A blanket or towel can be placed over the baby’s back for warmth if required. This skin to skin contact should be continued undisturbed until the first breastfeed. Routine procedures such as bathing and weighing should wait until after the first feed.
Why is skin-to-skin contact important?
Babies who are placed straight into naked body contact with their mothers interact more, stay warmer and cry less. For mothers the oxytocin (hormone) that is released makes her feel more affectionate, less anxious and assists in milk let-down. Skin-to-skin contact is important for all mothers and babies and is an important component for successful breastfeeding initiation and duration.
How babies will usually behave after the birth.
What about caesarean sections?
Mothers who have had caesarean sections can still experience skin-to-skin contact with their babies. Hospitals incorporate this into their routine practice either in the operating theatre or the recovery area. The ability of a hospital to provide skin-to-skin contact after a caesarean birth will depend on the reason for the caesarean, the medical condition of the mother and the baby, and local circumstances at that time.
How do mothers ask for skin-to-skin contact at birth?
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