Reasons why skin-to-skin with dad matters

by Lo Mansfield

07/11/2023

Mama, I know that you probably want to do that skin-to-skin SO bad. And I want that for you! Its benefits are amazing 🙌🏼 - and I want you to get them.

But let’s talk about skin to skin with any Dad in the room. This convo feels even more valuable as the rate of cesarean remains high in the US and this sometimes leads to the delivering mama NOT getting to do skin to skin (ahem…three cheers for gentle cesarean practices)!

So, whether Dad can step in and do that skin to skin because you aren’t able to OR if we can get them that skin to skin after you get yours - just know that all of it is so, so good.

📌 Here’s some benefits of “paternal” skin-to-skin:
• Decreases baby’s cortisol (stress levels)
• Supports mature sleep cycling
• Enhances immune system via exposure to that chest
• Decreases cortisol and somatostatin (this can allow baby to absorb and digest nutrients better and support weight gain)
• Regulation of baby’s body temperature (*Dad’s body can warm, but it cannot cool baby as mama’s could)
• Regulation of heart rate and breathing
Baby more “awake”/quicker to breastfeed
• Increases psychosocial well being (hello oxytocin) for Dad - affection, nurturing, confidence, bonding - and possible decreased rates of paternal postpartum depression and stronger attachment.

👉🏼 Don’t forget that skin-to-skin benefits continue throughout the first year. I know not everyone gets the immediate time, but as soon as you are able or baby’s dad is able, get them on there and keep doing it at home too. And at birth, if there is a reason you can’t, but dad can - consider it! Though it isn’t quite the same as if it were happening between you and baby, the benefits are still really great.