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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Skin to skin. Yes or NO

77 replies

Naz2009 · 26/11/2021 01:57

Hi mums, what's your opinion in regards to skin to skin right after birth.
Should I have skin to skin right away once baby is born.
What if I chose not to do this right away will it be bad for baby?
There is a lot of positive for both baby and I on doing skin to skin right away. I've been reading online. But I want to know from mums, their first hand experience.

OP posts:
bratzdoll · 26/11/2021 02:02

Skin to skin is great. Can't really think of any negatives. Some people say there may not be much of an initial bond if skin to skin isn't done but I know people who didn't do skin to skin but still bonded massively with their child.

Skin to skin is great for the baby but also great for your hormones and happiness. I'd say definitely do it if possible

Rosiiiiie · 26/11/2021 02:04

Yes yes yes YESSSS!!! The best moment of birth!!! Such a bonding experience!! They smell you and it settles their heart rate and regulates their breathing. Also releases endorphins for mum and bub!! Also read it helps with milk stimulation but not sure about that one 100%.
Just YES to skin to skin all the way! Give me my newborn!!!! I’m due in feb and cannot wait for my precious skin to skin with no one interfering! I have videos of my skin to skin with my first and it’s so precious. They try to look up at you and open they eyes and it’s so magical!

RedRobin100 · 26/11/2021 02:08

Can’t think of any negatives/why it wouldn’t be a good idea - only great benefits

I didn’t get to hold my baby for ages after birth due to having an emergency section, so no immediate skin to skin, but it didn’t do any harm either. He started feeding immediately no issues when I was able to hold him.

My husband held him and dressed him first, but I don’t think it was skin to skin necessarily.

Rathmobhaile · 26/11/2021 02:09

Skin to skin is hugely beneficial to both you and baby. Current research says it has a reegulatibg effect on you both - even promiting the production of hormones in you to help wuth the placenta delivery and reduce any bleeding..

It has a large connection with bonding too and is helpful in ensuring a healthy attachment. But if it doesn't happen that doesn't mean a healthy attachment won't be made.

Babdoc · 26/11/2021 02:13

If skin to skin was essential for bonding, my entire generation would be “unbonded”, OP!

Yet our mother/child relationships seem to have survived. Our babies were immediately dried and wrapped in layers to conserve warmth.
If you would like to do it, tell the midwife. Just make sure baby doesn’t get chilled if wet and exposed.

Mumdiva99 · 26/11/2021 02:19

I had 1 no skin to skin- ECS husband went off with him and dressed him etc

Baby 2 - skin to skin- she weed all over me!

Baby 3 - husband did the skin to skin as I wanted them to stitch me quick and let me shower.....

No difference on the bonding.

Rno3gfr · 26/11/2021 02:27

I had an emergency c-section and when I first saw my baby, he was placed on my chest (I was wearing surgical gown), and all I could think was, “this alien baby is crushing me, I feel sick and I can’t breathe”. Some of that was due to my complications during birth and seeing my little baby all pruned and purple.

Anyway, when we were wheeled away from surgery the only attachment I felt was that I was scared of loosing him in my delirious exhaustion.

About an hour later, after I’d had a chance to rest, a nurse asked if I wanted him on my chest, which I did. The intense love I felt for my baby expelled from my heart uncontrollably within a few minutes. He suddenly felt like another part of my own body. I think I really needed that to bond with him as beforehand he felt a bit like he was just anyone’s baby.

As a disclaimer, this doesn’t happen to everyone- this was jus my experience.

teezletangler · 26/11/2021 02:46

If everything is fine, the baby is delivered straight onto your chest. Skin to skin is the default. If for some reason you don't want skin to skin, you need to tell the midwife! I've only had that request a couple of times.

RainbowMum11 · 26/11/2021 02:57

I didn't even get to see my second DD until she was about 7 hours old - I had a c section and she had to go to to NNU - her DD and DGM saw her properly before I could!
Skin to skin is great if you can & feel up to it, but please don't beat yourself up if you can't for any reason.

birdglasspen · 26/11/2021 02:57

Is there a reason for not having it? What else will you be doing? If it’s the thought of being naked with baby on you, you may have lost all dignity by then anyway! I’d recommend baby wears nappy for skin to skin though!🤣 I forgot once a day or so after birth and ended up rather wet too! Saying this my 2nd baby went straight to neonatal so no skin to skin immediately, to date they are my sweetest loveliest child who when able breastfed incredibly well from the start. So it’s not the be all and end all of a good bf relationship!

RainbowMum11 · 26/11/2021 02:58

*DF

episcomama · 26/11/2021 02:58

Why on earth would you close NOT to have skin-to-skin?

episcomama · 26/11/2021 02:59

Choose, not close.

There are no negatives, surely?

INeedNewShoes · 26/11/2021 03:07

I couldn't do skin to skin as I'm short and there wasn't room to get DD on my chest while they were stitching post c-section. They put her right next to me on the bed and we looked at each other instead. It was the most emotionally intense experience of my life and I'm pretty sure we couldn't have bonded more than we did.

My mum got to hold DD before I did!

I think I'd definitely recommend aiming for skin to skin but, as with everything child birth related, you need to be flexible re expectations just in case circumstances mean you can't have everything as planned.

Timeforwinterclothes · 26/11/2021 03:07

My first was taken from me, I just got a glimpse of her face, bathed, dressed and given two bottles of formula in the night in the nursery. I met her the next day. I had no problems breastfeeding or bonding with her. I didn't do skin to skin with my others either. It wasn't heard of back then. It didn't make the slightest jot of difference.

starrynight21 · 26/11/2021 03:13

It's a nice thing to do, but it isn't necessary for you to bond with your baby. You asked if I chose not to do this right away will it be bad for baby? , well the answer is no , it isn't bad for your baby. Your baby has just been born, all it needs is lots of cuddles from you and your partner . I didn't do skin on skin, nobody did when I had my babies, and we had / have the most wonderful bond. You just do whatever you feel is right, and you and your baby will be fine.

Original poster
Naz2009 · 26/11/2021 06:47

Thank you so much, skin to skin is all new to me, upon reading your experiences it's helped me make my decision.
Thanks everyone!!

OP posts:
shenanigans5 · 26/11/2021 06:49

Honestly do what you like at the time. You might fancy it, you might not. Parenthood is a long time of being told what you ‘should’ do and sometimes it’s fine to do what you want to do instead. Skin to skin, cuddling them wrapped in a towel, DP cuddling so you can have a moment to gather yourself and have a cup of tea- doesn’t matter.

whosaidtha · 26/11/2021 06:54

Can I ask why you wouldn't want to? I did with both of mine and it's lovely. It's just holding baby before you get them dressed. We did lots in the new born days both me and their dad.

Driposaurus · 26/11/2021 06:59

Two of my babies were born in the water, so I picked them up (well, caught them) and held them to my chest and that’s where they stayed until they went to my husbands chest and I had a shower.

mayblossominapril · 26/11/2021 06:59

I didn’t with either. My first was an emcs and they gave him to me immediately but I was too exhausted and had the shakes so I only held him for a few minutes.
MY second was a VBAC I assumed I’d have skin to skin. I was totally exhausted after a very ling pushing stage and asked if she was alright and nodded off for a bit.
Midwives were a bit worried that I didn’t want to hold her!
Anyway both children are usually welded to measure to the point I can’t do anything alone.

imisscashmere · 26/11/2021 07:01

My son was on my chest, and managed to latch for the first time, while the lovely midwife was stitching me up. I was totally naked and had also just delivered the placenta with him laying on me. I cherish these memories!

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 26/11/2021 07:02

I didn't do it because I was 21 and shell shocked by the whole thing but we still bonded hard and that bond remains 37 years later.

NynaeveSedai · 26/11/2021 07:08

@shenanigans5

Honestly do what you like at the time. You might fancy it, you might not. Parenthood is a long time of being told what you ‘should’ do and sometimes it’s fine to do what you want to do instead. Skin to skin, cuddling them wrapped in a towel, DP cuddling so you can have a moment to gather yourself and have a cup of tea- doesn’t matter.
This! I would have liked to do it probably but didn't get the chance and never felt I or he missed out on anything. It's just a thing that you could do if you want to or not if you don't. Don't overthink.
RedWingBoots · 26/11/2021 07:26

Hospitals are very warm and as a PP said after giving birth you will have very little dignity left so just go with the flow instead of over thinking this bit.

If you can do skin to skin great. If you can't that's what your birthing partner is there for once you have given birth.

My DP did skin to skin with our DD as I was being stitched up. He then put a nappy on her , dressed her and held her. So apart from a brief period after I had given birth the next time I held her she had a nappy on and was dressed. She then had a feed and fell asleep.

She is definitely bonded to me and DP.