The surprising benefits of skin-to-skin contact

YOU'VE just met the love of your life, your baby. You're soaking in the tiny fingers, the soft cries, and the overwhelming mix of emotions.

- VUYILE MADWANTSI

Amid the whirlwind of advice from midwives and nurses, one simple yet profound phrase stands out: “Hold your baby skin-to-skin”

It may seem like another bonding moment, but science shows this close contact is one of the most powerful ways to help your newborn and yourself thrive.

The science of skin-to-skin contact

When a baby is born, their world changes instantly from the warm, quiet comfort of the womb to the bright, noisy chaos outside. That's where skin-to-skin contact comes in.

“From a biological perspective, skin-to-skin contact is like pressing a reset button,’ explains Sr Londe, an independent midwife and trusted advisor to Vital Baby South Africa.

“It helps regulate your baby’s heartbeat, breathing and temperature while building an emotional connection”