Having a Baby

How do I do skin-to-skin?

Hold your baby, wearing just a diaper, on your bare chest with his or her head under your chin and face turned to the side.
Your baby's chest should be flat against your chest between your breasts.
Cover the baby with a warm blanket, making sure the baby's face is uncovered.

Why should I do skin-to-skin?

The best place for your newborn to be is skin-to-skin with you. It allows the baby to stay at an ideal temperature and regulate his or her breathing and heart rate using the least amount of energy, keeping calm and comfortable.
It is a way of bonding with and soothing your baby.
Having your baby close to you will help you recognize the early signs of hunger.
Skin-to-skin holding, also called kangaroo care, is ideal for early breastfeeding sessions and for babies who are not breastfed.
Babies held skin-to-skin are better at calming themselves as they get older.

How can I soothe my baby?

Offer your breast
Use other comforting techniques such as swaddling and skin-to-skin
Ask for help. Our nursing staff can teach you other comforting techniques and are happy to help.

Will a pacifier help?

We want what's best for your baby. We do not recommend pacifiers while your baby is in the hospital, and we do not give babies pacifiers except during painful procedures or when they are separated from their parents for extended hospital stays.
If you want to give your baby a pacifier in the hospital, you may bring one with you.
Research shows that pacifiers may interfere with early breastfeeding by suppressing your baby's feeding cues and delaying the early feedings that build a full milk supply.
Pacifiers may decrease the risk of SIDS, but we suggest you give the pacifier after your baby is one month old, not immediately after birth.