Skin-to-Skin Holding (Kangaroo Care) The power, benefits and impact of skin-to-skin care for newborns, parents and families Thank you for joining us in a discussion of how to become close to your baby using skin to skin holding, also known as Kangaroo Care. This is a presentation of the benefits and impact of skin to skin care on newborns, parents and families. This presentation is sponsored by the March of Dimes

The mission of the March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. We do this by: funding research, advocating for increased access to health care for women, infants and children, working to reduce racial disparities in pregnancy outcomes and infant health and serving as an information resource on health for mothers and babies.

Close To Me Quote from mother “When I hold my baby skin to skin I feel a bond with my baby. It is like magic, breathing together as one.”

Stay close to me with… … skin to skin holding Stay close to me with gentle touch. We can imagine our babies asking us to do just that. Skin to skin contact allows us to keep our babies safely held while providing a gentle touch. Skin to skin holding can be done by mom, dad or any loved one.

Stay close to my whole family Quote from father, “Having skin to skin time with a newborn baby or infant is just pure bliss. It’s as close as we can come to just touching that infinite being that’s come to reside with us. It’s so sweet and builds such an incredibly strong connection between the baby and you. It’s really the nicest moments of existence.”

Stay close safely Place baby high on your chest Turn baby’s head to the side Cover baby to the shoulders Enjoy watching the baby Stay Close Safely. To safely perform skin to skin holding, place your baby high on your chest. Turn the baby’s head to the side to allow for ease of breathing. Cover the baby to the shoulders with a baby blanket to keep the baby warm. And then enjoy watching your baby. (Remember to stay alert when holding your baby so that the baby cannot slip out of your arms or into an unsafe position that could prevent your baby from breathing or case harm to the baby.)

Stay close to me … …from the very beginning. Quote from mother “I can tell you, that having skin to skin contact with my baby right away after his birth was the most natural move towards love, great care, discovery and life.”

Benefits for your baby Skin to skin holding can: Keep a baby warm Stabilize a baby’s heart rate, breathing and blood sugar Help with healthy weight gain Provides comfort during or after medical procedures Calm and soothe your baby Skin to skin holding has many benefits for your baby. By holding your baby skin to skin you help keep your baby warm. Skin to skin helps keep the baby’s heart rate, breathing rate and blood sugar level in a range normal for newborns. By holding your baby skin to skin, you promote your baby to have a healthy weight gain. Skin to skin holding can provide comfort before, during and after medical procedures. Skin to skin holding then helps you calm, soothe and provide comfort for your baby.

Benefits to you Skin to skin care is good for the entire family because it often can: help you bond with your baby increase your milk supply reduce your stress and lift your spirits help you become more confident parents Skin to skin holding has many benefits for the entire family. By holding the baby skin to skin you begin to form the early bonds between you and your baby. Skin to skin holding has also been shown to increase breastfeeding success. By holding the baby skin to skin the mother produces more breast milk and the baby has an easier time latching on to the breast. Holding the baby skin to skin may help to reduce your stress and lift your spirits making you feel like a more confident comfortable parent.

Stay close to me by… …holding me close while feeding me. Quote from mother “I love it, it was right after he latched right on. I didn’t even have to mess with him much.”

Stay close to me by… reading me a story singing me a song, and telling me you love me. The more time we spend together the sooner we can get to know each other. There are other ways to stay close to your baby like reading a story, singing a song, or telling your baby that you love them. The more time we spend together the sooner we can get to know each other. Your baby gets to know your voice and your touch. Babies need to feel secure. You are teaching your child that their needs will be met and that his or her parents are listening. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, responding to your baby’s cues will not result in a spoiled child, but rather a confident and trusting one. Stay close to me by holding me skin to skin and showing me that you love me.