05/17/2026
One of the most important things you can do to help breastfeeding get off to a good start is keeping your baby skin-to-skin with you after birth and throughout the early weeks.
Place your baby directly on your chest with a light blanket covering their back to keep them warm and comfortable. Skin-to-skin time should occur in cycles of at least one hour. That means baby should not be removed in that hour.
Skin-to-skin helps by:
- Regulating your baby’s body temperature
-Supporting brain development and helping “wire” the brain
-Reminding babies of their natural breastfeeding instincts
-Promoting bonding and attachment
-Providing comfort and pain relief
- Releasing oxytocin, which helps trigger milk let-down and supports milk production
Babies who spend time skin-to-skin often learn to latch sooner and more effectively, helping create a strong foundation for breastfeeding success.
Skin-to-skin isn’t just cuddling — it’s biology.