How Skin-to-Skin Contact Influences Immune Health in C-Section Newborns

Skin-to-skin contact, often called ‘kangaroo care’, is a practice where a newborn is placed directly on a parent’s bare chest, ensuring there are no barriers like clothing between the baby and the caregiver. This simple yet powerful method allows the baby to feel your warmth, hear your heartbeat and smell your natural scent.

For C-section mothers, skin-to-skin may happen slightly differently due to the nature of the surgery. However, hospitals are increasingly finding ways to make this possible, even in the operating theatre or shortly after delivery. Dads also have an important role to play: they can offer skin-to-skin contact as well, to help foster early bonding and provide comfort to the baby.

Skin-to-skin contact isn't just a beautiful bonding experience—it’s also supported by science. Studies show that it helps newborns adapt to life outside the womb, regulates their bodily functions and boosts their immune system. It also facilitates the transfer of beneficial bacteria from the parent’s skin to the baby, supporting their gut health and overall immunity.  For mothers, it can reduce stress, support milk production and even help with recovery.

In short, skin-to-skin contact is the first step in nurturing your baby’s health and happiness, providing comfort and care that has lasting benefits.

Skin-to-skin contact is much more than a tender moment between you and your baby; it’s a critical part of their early development. This practice has profound benefits for both newborns and mothers, especially after a C-section. It helps babies adjust to life outside the womb and supports mothers physically and emotionally.

The transition from the womb to the outside world is a big change for your baby. Everything is new—sounds, lights and sensations. Skin-to-skin contact helps ease this adjustment by reducing your baby’s stress.

When your newborn is placed on your chest, they feel your warmth, hear the comforting rhythm of your heartbeat and recognise your familiar scent. This makes them feel safe, much like they did in the womb.

As a result, their heartbeat and breathing become more steady, which is crucial for their early development. Feeling calm and secure also reduces the release of stress hormones in your baby, helping them settle into their new environment more peacefully.

In these quiet, close moments, you’re not just calming your baby—you’re helping them build a foundation for feeling safe and secure in the world.

Newborns have a hard time controlling their body temperature. Without help, they can quickly become too cold or too hot. This is where skin-to-skin contact plays a role!

When your baby is placed on your chest, your body acts like a natural heater, helping them stay warm and preventing hypothermia. Your skin provides the perfect environment, mimicking the warmth and comfort of the womb.

What’s truly amazing is how your body responds to your baby’s needs. If your baby is too cool, your body warms up to provide more heat. If they’re too warm, your body cools down slightly to help them feel just right.⁸

This natural temperature regulation is something no blanket or incubator can fully replicate. It’s your body’s unique way of protecting and nurturing your little one. With skin-to-skin contact, you’re keeping your baby safe and ensuring they’re comfortable and thriving.

For newborns, especially those delivered via C-section, skin-to-skin contact provides an essential boost to their immune system. During a vaginal birth, babies are exposed to helpful bacteria from the birth canal, called Bifidobacteria, which kickstarts their natural defences. However, C-section newborns miss out on this early exposure.

Skin-to-skin contact helps bridge this gap. When your baby is placed on your chest, they come into contact with the beneficial bacteria on your skin. These microorganisms help populate their microbiome—a community of bacteria essential for a healthy immune system.

Additionally, skin-to-skin contact reduces stress hormones in your baby, which can otherwise suppress their immune response. It also stabilises their heart rate and breathing, creating an environment where their body can focus on developing strong defences.

In these moments, you’re not just holding your baby close—you’re giving them an incredible gift: a stronger, healthier beginning in life. To help your baby catch up on immunity right from the start, be sure to consult your healthcare provider about this.

Skin-to-skin contact plays a big role in helping your baby begin feeding successfully. When placed on your chest, your newborn’s natural instincts take over. They use their sense of smell and touch to find the breast, a behaviour known as ‘rooting’.

This instinctive search makes it easier for your baby to latch properly, which is essential for comfortable and effective breastfeeding. A good latch means your baby gets all the milk they need while reducing the chances of issues like sore nipples for you.

Skin-to-skin contact also encourages your body to release oxytocin. This hormone is key to milk production and lets your milk flow more easily. Oxytocin has another benefit—it strengthens the bond between you and your baby, making feeding time feel even more special.

By starting feeding in this natural, relaxed way, you’re setting the stage for a positive breastfeeding experience that benefits both you and your little one.

Skin-to-skin contact provides more than comfort—it’s a natural way to help your baby manage pain. Research shows that holding your baby close to your chest during medical procedures, like injections or heel pricks, can significantly reduce their discomfort.

When your baby is in skin-to-skin contact, they feel your warmth, hear your heartbeat and experience your steady breathing. This creates a soothing environment that lowers their stress levels and helps them feel secure.

Babies held skin-to-skin during procedures cry less, have more stable heart rates and recover more quickly. It’s a simple but powerful way to turn a potentially distressing moment into one they can handle with your loving support.

In these early days, every bit of comfort counts. By holding your baby close, you’re not just soothing them in the moment—you’re showing them that they are cared for and protected.

Skin-to-skin contact is one of the most natural ways to build a deep emotional bond with your baby. When your newborn is on your chest, they can feel your heartbeat, smell your scent and hear your soothing voice. These sensations are familiar and comforting, creating a strong sense of security for your little one.

This close contact is also powerful for you as a parent. It helps you feel more connected and in tune with your baby’s needs, boosting your confidence as you care for them. The release of oxytocin, sometimes called the ‘love hormone’, enhances feelings of attachment and promotes a sense of calm and well-being for both of you.

For your baby, this connection is fundamental. Feeling safe and loved lays the groundwork for healthy emotional development and a secure relationship with you. Every moment spent skin-to-skin is an investment in your baby’s happiness and your bond as a family.

Skin-to-skin contact is beneficial for your baby and plays a key role in helping you recover after childbirth. One of the most significant benefits is the release of oxytocin, often called the ‘love hormone’, which your body produces when holding your baby close.

Oxytocin helps your uterus contract, which is essential in reducing the risk of postpartum haemorrhage—a condition where heavy bleeding occurs after delivery. These contractions also help your body expel the placenta and begin the healing process.

In addition to physical recovery, skin-to-skin contact supports your emotional well-being. The calming hormones released during these moments can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, helping you adjust to the demands of motherhood more easily.

For mothers recovering from a C-section, skin-to-skin can make those first days feel more manageable. By holding your baby close, you’ll find comfort in their presence, which can provide emotional strength as you heal.

Through this simple yet powerful connection, your body and mind are given the support they need to recover, ensuring you’re ready to care for your new baby with confidence and love.

Skin-to-skin contact may sound simple, but it’s a carefully considered process that can look slightly different depending on the circumstances of your birth. Here's a closer look at how it typically unfolds, including how healthcare teams adapt it for C-section deliveries.

●      Immediately after delivery: if both you and your baby are stable, skin-to-skin contact begins right after birth. Your baby is placed on your bare chest and gently dried to maintain warmth. In a vaginal delivery, this often happens within moments of birth, while in a C-section, it may occur in the operating theatre or recovery room, depending on hospital protocols.

●      Assistance during a C-section: for mothers undergoing a C-section, hospital staff or your birth partner may assist with positioning your baby. The medical team takes extra care to ensure safety while you’re still being tended to after surgery. Dads can play an important role here, too, by offering skin-to-skin contact or simply holding and soothing the baby until you’re ready to take over.

●      Uninterrupted bonding: during the skin-to-skin time, healthcare professionals work to minimise disruptions. For instance, routine checks like weighing and measuring the baby are often delayed to prioritise this bonding experience.

●      In special circumstances: if your baby requires immediate medical attention or is in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), skin-to-skin contact may be possible later, once they are stable. Kangaroo care, a version of skin-to-skin contact, is often encouraged for preterm or fragile babies.

Throughout the process, your baby’s heart rate, breathing and temperature will naturally stabilise as they feel your warmth and hear your heartbeat. Their instincts will guide them to your breast for an early feeding attempt, laying the groundwork for breastfeeding success.

These first moments together allow your baby to feel secure and loved, setting the tone for your relationship and supporting their health. For you, it’s a chance to connect deeply while beginning your recovery journey with the reassurance that your baby is thriving.