Skin to Skin Care is for Fathers and Babies, Too

On occasion I will hear of a woman or man saying that she or he does not want to hold his or her newborn baby skin to skin until the baby has been "cleaned up".  I also hear sometimes that a dad may laugh and joke at the concept of skin to skin with his newborn.  

I actually feel a little sad because I believe a special opportunity for the baby's health can be missed.


Is it better and more acceptable that a baby be taken from her mother and be held only when she is enveloped in a blanket or "onesie"?  Should a dad only hold his "baby in a blanket"?  Does it matter?

We are used to running water and all manner of sanitation promoting options.  But imagine, even hundreds of years ago, that many babies were born where there was not running water.  Yes, newborns are "gunky", but the are NOT dirty!  

Vernix, the cream cheese looking coating on a newborn has a couple of purposes:  the help make the baby slide through the birth canal easier, to provide a protection to the skin soaking in amniotic fluid for many months, and to provide protection against exposure to a blast of micro-organisms once baby leaves the womb.

The excess fluids and solids of birth can be wiped away while baby is resting on mom's abdomen, immediately after birth.  The World Health organization recommends NOT wiping the newborns hands as they state the scent of amniotic fluid helps them find the breast, which is also emitting a similar scent.

We are now learning more about the original design for protection of babies in their new environment, even before birth.

1.  Amniotic fluid probably contains "healthful" bacteria and also growth factor allow the villi in the intestinal tract to develop properly AND to set up an optimal, healthy microbiome.  This impacts the baby's immune system in both the short and long term.

2.  Babies should be "inoculated" with the flora (germs/bacteria/microbes) from their mothers and fathers -- ideally before being exposed to the flora form hospital equipment, linens, and personnel.

3.  Breastfeeding exclusively (no formula) is necessary to establish the optimal healthy gut microbiome in newborns.  Skin to skin with mom and dad helps to establish and perpetuate the family microbiome, including skin, respiratory, gut, and others.

4.  Skin to skin helps the baby better regulate his heart rate, respiratory rate, blood sugar, and emotional state.  A crying newborn uses a lot of energy and is at risk of disturbing its acid-base balance.  Low blood sugar increases the chance that a baby will be given artificial baby milk to correct that problem -- only to increase the chance of other problems.

Skin to skin with either mom or dad is good health care practice -- not silliness.  A man is no less a man when he holds his newborn close to his heart.  In fact, he is being a good FATHER.  It can even be argues he is being a good husband because by helping his baby maintain better stabilization of the infant's blood sugars and ability to eagerly breastfeed, he is minimizing the potential for his wife to experience trouble with breastfeeding.  Lactation success provides life long benefits for her as well as for the baby.

Some of my favorite moments as a doula when assisting with births if when "daddy" assumes this role of protector and involved father.  Below are two of my favorite photos of this experience.

The dad is this photo is a 6' 4" military man.  He is no sissy for caring for his one hour old baby in the best way possible.

This dad, who holds a doctorate in pharmacy, knows that skin to skin with his newborn when mom is resting will promote optimal health for both mom and baby via the direct contact and the secondary support of exclusive breastfeeding.

So, it is safe to say that REAL MEN, who are educated about the health benefits, HOLD THEIR NEWBORNS SKIN TO SKIN.  It's not only OK, it is advisable.

Forget the "Ewwwww" or even "girly" factors.  "Man up", in this special way and give your newborn the best.  Encourage his mother with skin to skin from birth and with breastfeeding before the baby goes to any one else.   When mom is ready, take the baby from mom and hold her a few moments to inoculate her with your flora before your baby is exposed to that from others.  Help your baby transition to extra uterine life with less stress on his or her body systems and decrease the chance of your baby receiving foreign proteins and other substances via artificial baby milk by incorporating best practices of care.