Benefits of Skin to Skin

Basics of Breastfeeding Part 1
www.youtube.co....
CC: Why do we talk about how important skin to skin is? Well there are many many benefits both for moms and for babies. As soon as your baby comes out whether you've had a vaginal delivery or cesarean delivery we want your baby to come right up to your chest so you’re heart to heart with your baby. Turn their face to the side so they have one ear down on your chest. We’ll put those little hands up above your breasts and then put their little feet below your breasts so they're nice and cozy like this. Right after birth we can also put a blanket over their backs so your baby stays nice and warm! You want them high enough that you can just tuck your chin down and kiss the top of their head.
So now skin to skin isn’t just this nice thing that we talk about. There are so many necessary things that it does for your baby. So initially right after your baby is born and your baby comes skin to skin, chest to chest with you then it helps them to calm down. Initially there might be some stress of being born. Then coming right to your chest they just start to calm down. You're going to notice that your body will get hot because your body temperature will increase up to 2 degrees to make sure your baby stays warm enough. So we always joke that babies are little heaters but it’s actually your body. Partners will have the same effect of holding skin to skin and your baby getting that same benefit.
All the things we watch for in the hospital are making sure the heart rate, temperature, and breathing are stable. As your baby is held on your chest like this, everything is calm. As your body temperature increases your baby's temperature is stable, their breathing is calmer, and their heart rate is steady. So it’s going to be so strong for all of those vital signs. The other benefit here is that your baby has unrestricted access to feeding. That way you have more success with learning how to feed your baby, a better milk supply and more confidence and competence to go home.
Skin to skin isn’t just a nice thing in the beginning, it’s always going to be my answer for whatever is going on with your baby. If your baby is kind of sleepy try skin to skin. If you’re having a hard time waking them up for feeding cues, skin to skin and rub on their back while talking to them. If your baby is really fussy, try skin to skin. Later on when your baby is older and maybe your baby has gotten sick, skin to skin will help them relax and to heal, and help them get over whatever they are sick with. There are also many benefits for the mom holding skin to skin. Right after delivery, again whether that's a vaginal delivery or a cesarean delivery, there are some stress hormones that are involved in that. So the baby comes skin to skin with the mom and all her stress hormones just calm down. This way she has a release of oxytocin. Oxytocin is the hormone that is also called the love hormone or the bonding hormone. So, she has a surge of oxytocin (and partners can have this too). Holding baby skin to skin with that surge of oxytocin that bonds you to the baby. Oxytocin is also responsible for calming, bonding, and helping milk to come out. This also helps moms to recognise those feeding cues. Maybe you start to see these movements that the baby is doing with their hands or with their feet and then you can recognize and say, “oh those are the little feet that were kicking me all that time”. This helps babies to get familiar with their moms as well. So it is that familiarity and closeness that helps both of you. Moms, it’s going to decrease your blood pressure as well because as you’re calm your body is calm and you are getting to know your baby. We also encourage this anytime throughout your baby’s life. It’s not good just in the beginning, it’s great anytime. Whether they are a few days old, or a few months old. It’s a way to create that snuggle closeness bonding time with your baby.

[@maleighadowell6461]

I’ve had nexplanon since my October 2019, and did not have a period or spotting, but now I am spotting, have cramps and tender breasts... am I like pregnant?