Have you ever noticed how touch alone can instantly calm your baby? What are the known medical benefits of skin to skin contact in babies? Is it recommended that all newborns are placed skin to skin with their caregiver? Is there a role for premature babies to experience this benefit as well? And what is with this new fad of “wearing your baby”? Are slings, wraps and carriers recommended for infants and how can it be done safely… All of these questions and more answered in todays discussion of skin to skin. Plus Dr. Lena and Dr. Dean talk about Gabrielle Union and her daughter.
This episode written by Dr. Lena Rothstein and Dr. Dean Blumberg.
The authors thank Dr. Catherine Rottkamp from UC Davis Children’s Hospital for reviewing this topic, although Drs. Dean and Lena take responsibility for any errors or misinformation.
Supplemental material:

* American Academy of Pediatrics About Skin-to-Skin Care

* International Dysplasia Institute baby harnesses and slings for hip health

* American Academy of Pediatrics policy on Safe Sleep and Skin-to-Skin Care in the Neonatal Period for Healthy Term Newborns

* The Oprah Magazine Gabrielle Union Calls Out Mommy-Shamers Who Say She Shouldn’t Kiss Her Newborn Daughter on the Mouth

Photo from Save the Children