Breastfeeding is without any doubt, more than just feeding your baby. It’s a moment of true love between you both. So, to strengthen this bond and establish your first days on your breastfeeding journey, it’s important to enjoy this skin to skin intimacy from the moment that your baby is born.
You may be thinking, “Why is Carla talking about skin to skin care here?” This is exactly what the term Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) means. This World- renowned method of bonding is based on holding your baby, with their skin to you or your partner’s chest, without any clothes other than a nappy and a hat to keep them warm. I would recommend placing a cotton muslin or a blanket (depending on the room temperature) around your baby’s back for extra warmth. This method looks very much like a mother kangaroo holding her baby in her pouch, which gives rise to its name. This type of touch isn’t just good for bonding; it’s also medically beneficial for you and your baby, whether full term or premature.
Here are the scientifically proven benefits:
- Improving body temperature regulation and therefore less weight loss.
- Improving your baby’s breathing pattern (making them breath more regularly).
- Better quality sleep.
- Stabilizing your baby’s heart rate (listening to your heart beat).
- Decreasing crying because they feel more secure and protected.
- Promotes neurological, psychological and emotional development.
- Having an earlier hospital discharge (in the case of premature or sick babies).
The benefits for parents:
- Eases and lengthen breastfeeding with an improvement on your milk supply.
- Stimulates your baby’s sense of smell and allows spontaneous latching.
- Improves bonding with your baby.
- Increasing your confidence in the ability to care for your new baby.
- Feeling less stress and more confidence that your baby is well cared for.
- Helping partners to feel more useful by involving them in the care of your baby.
