The Benefits of Skin-to-Skin for Infants

Practicing skin-to-skin with a newborn offers many benefits for parents, families and all caretakers. “While benefits of breastfeeding can only apply to one parent, the benefits of parental bonding can extend to all caregivers,” said Jenelle Ferry, M.D., neonatologist and director of feeding, nutrition, and infant development at Pediatrix® Neonatology of Florida. “Further, the infant experiences benefits with all skin-to-skin care, and studies have suggested a sort of dose response, meaning more skin-to-skin time results in increased benefits.” Among the advantages for baby are emotional and psychological benefits. “For parents and caregivers, skin-to-skin can support bonding,” said Ellen Smead, certified nurse-midwife at Northside Women’s Specialists, part of Pediatrix® Medical Group. It “provides security to newborns who have spent months inside a warm environment close to their mother’s or gestational carrier’s beating heart,” said Smead.

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