What and how does it help with?
In: 191
There are some things that skin on skin contact aides in but these are also things that will occur naturally already without skin on skin contact. Sharing of bacteria, adapting to cold, etc. all things that are gonna happen anyways.
Skin on skin is more about “feeling close” to the baby and emotional well-being. There is some science in that it promotes oxytocin which helps stop/control post birth bleeding and encourages breastfeeding mechanisms…. but a lot of the more general claims are things that’ll happen with or without.
Also, what psychopath initiated charging for it?
When my wife gave birth to our daughter she needed some aftercare, and the midwife handed our daughter to me. I spent a couple of the best hours of my life, slouched in a hospital chair, with this grotty, bloody, sticky, mucusy gremlin lying on my chest under my shirt. It was meant to be really good for her, it was amazing for me!
It’s also helps stimulate growth for the baby. My baby was preemie I kept him on me as much as possible.
There is a whole lot of very interesting information on the UNICEF site
https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/implementing-standards-resources/skin-to-skin-contact/#:~:text=There%20is%20a%20growing%20body,to%20life%20outside%20the%20womb
It helps both babies andmothers. It:
* calms and relaxes both mother and baby
* regulates the baby’s heart rate and breathing, helping them to better adapt to life outside the womb
* stimulates digestion and an interest in feeding
* regulates temperature
* enables colonisation of the baby’s skin with the mother’s friendly bacteria, thus providing protection against infection
* stimulates the release of hormones to support breastfeeding and mothering.