Skin to skin is a wonderful way to greet your baby and help them transition from the uterus in to the world.
Skin to skin has been shown to help your baby regulate their temperature, heart rate and breathing and start to develop their immune system through the colonisation of their skin with friendly bacteria.
Being close to you helps your baby to feel safe, secure and loved. When they feel like this your baby will release the hormone Oxytocin which has a wonderful effect on brain development helping your baby to be happy and grow in to a confident child and later adult.
Skin to skin also enhances the release of oxytocin in Parents . This helps to contract the uterus after birth, reducing maternal blood loss, is essential for breastfeeding and is the hormone responsible for bonding.
Ask your midwife about how you can incorporate skin-to-skin in to your birth preferences.
surreyhillshomebirth.org 