Placing baby skin to skin on mom may be a simple act to do with the newborn after delivery and the days following, but it is developmentally important. Whether mom plans to breastfeed or formula bottle feed, baby will benefit physically and psychologically from being placed skin to skin after birth and onward. When skin to skin with mom, baby can hear mom’s heartbeat, is warmed and calmed, heart and breathing rates are normalized, allows for bonding, and if mom plans to nurse, will stimulate and enhance breastfeeding. Ultimately baby transitions from fetal to newborn life with greater respiratory, temperature, and glucose stability and significantly less crying, indicating decreased stress. Evidence supports that skin to skin contact in the first hour after birth, significantly improves outcomes for both mother and baby. Research by Dr. Ann-Marie Widstrom provided an understanding of the timing of the newborn’s progression through nine observable stages after birth when placed skin to skin. Dr. Widstrom, working with Dr. Kajsa Brimdyr (Healthy Children Project) called this newborn progression in the first hour of birth, “The Magical Hour.” Every newborn will go through these nine innate and instinctive stages, but may vary in timing, often extending beyond one hour to complete the nine stages. According to Dr. Widstrom, a baby’s nine instinctive stages in the first hours after birth when placed skin to skin are:
- Stage 1: The Birth Cry
- Stage 2: Relaxation
- Stage 3: Awakening
- Stage 4: Activity
- Stage 5: Rest
- Stage 6: Crawling
- Stage 7: Familiarization
- Stage 8: Suckling
- Stage 9: Sleep
These nine stages which occur in specific order should not be rushed, but allowed to happen naturally after baby’s delivery. Even a baby born by caesarean section placed skin to skin with mom, will experience these nine stages given more time, due to mom receiving anesthesia during labor resulting in possible sedation of baby. Necessary procedures and checks are done while the newborn is skin to skin with mom. If medical reasons prohibit mom from holding baby skin to skin immediately after birth, then start as soon as possible.
In Stage 1, the birth cry is a distinctive cry that occurs immediately after birth as the newborn’s lungs expand.
In Stage 2, after the birth cry stops, the newborn relaxes, exhibits no mouth movements and hands are relaxed. The baby is skin to skin with mom, and baby’s body (not head) covered with a warm dry towel or blanket.
In Stage 3, the newborn awakens and exhibits small thrusts of movement in the head and shoulders. This stage usually begins approximately 3 minutes after birth. Baby may exhibit head movements, open his eyes, show some mouth activity, and move his shoulders.
In Stage 4, the newborn becomes more active. This stage usually begins approximately 8 minutes after birth. The baby begins to make increased mouthing and sucking movements, as the rooting reflex becomes more obvious.
In Stage 5, the newborn may rest at any point. Throughout the first hour or so after birth, the baby may have periods of resting between periods of activity.
Stage 6 is the crawling stage which usually begins about 35 minutes after birth. The baby approaches the breast with short periods of action which result in reaching the breast and nipple.
Stage 7 is the familiarization stage which usually occurs around 45 minutes after birth and could last for 20 minutes or more. During this stage, the newborn becomes acquainted with mom by licking the nipple, and touching and massaging her breast.
Stage 8 is the suckling stage in which the newborn takes the nipple, self-attaches and suckles. This early experience of learning to breastfeed usually begins about an hour after birth. As aforementioned, if mother received any analgesia/anesthesia during labor, it may take more time with skin to skin for baby to complete the stages and begin suckling.
In the final Stage 9, baby and sometimes mother fall into a restful sleep. This usually occurs 1.5 to 2 hours after birth.
Both you and your birth partner should check out and read Dr. Ann-Marie Widstrom’s research of “The Nine Instinctive Stages of the Newborn After Birth,” and Dr. Kajsa Brimdyr’s “The Magical Hour.”
The video “The Magical Hour: Holding Your Baby Skin to Skin in the First Hour After Birth” produced by Dr. Brimdyr, Dr. Widstrom, and Kristin Svensson is a good resource as well: https://amzn.to/3IAevWU
Familiarize yourself with Dr. Widstrom’s Nine Instinctive Stages After Birth and make plans to observe the nine stages in your own newborn after delivery. While every birth story, mother and newborn are different, the evidence of the short and long-term benefits of skin to skin contact for all babies is irrefutable. By the way, even dad or another family member may hold baby skin to skin!
Soft baby carriers are a great way to keep baby skin to skin throughout the day, especially in the first 4 to 6 weeks. For a recommended baby carrier that allows you to hold baby skin to skin during daily activities around the house or even out, take a look at Brownmed- NuRoo Pocket- Skin to Skin Shirt for Mom & Baby: https://amzn.to/3IxJUJF (size x-small/small), https://amzn.to/48RhXaD (size medium), https://amzn.to/3Tdc01V (size large/x-large).
Other recommended baby carriers to look into are the Boba Baby Wrap Carrier- Original Baby Carrier Wrap Sling for Newborns: https://amzn.to/48PVYAw and the KeaBabies Baby Wrap Carrier- All in 1 Original Breathable Baby Sling: https://amzn.to/49KbTC3
(DISCLAIMER: As an Amazon Affiliate/Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)
