Skin-to-skin is a method of care where a newborn baby is placed naked (or with a diaper) on their parent's bare chest, with a blanket covering both the baby and the parent's back. This practice allows for skin-to-skin contact between the parent and the baby, which has numerous benefits for both the baby and the parent.
The benefits of skin-to-skin contact for babies include regulating their heart rate, breathing, and temperature, promoting breastfeeding, reducing stress and crying, and improving sleep patterns. For parents, skin-to-skin contact can promote bonding with their baby, reduce stress levels, and increase the production of milk in breastfeeding mothers.
The duration of skin-to-skin contact is typically up to the parents' discretion, but it is recommended to do it for as long as possible, especially during the first hours and days after birth. Ideally, skin-to-skin contact should continue for at least an hour after birth or until the baby has breastfed or fallen asleep. Subsequently, skin-to-skin contact can continue as frequently and for as long as the parents and baby desire.
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