GRAND Magazine - Fall 2022 - 8

more than grand
You'll be glad to know the little knit
cap is still in the picture! Babies are
dried off and placed on their mother's
bare chest, wearing only the cap.
A blanket is draped over them, and
mother and baby spend up to an hour
or more simply enjoying each other.
This intimate time of relaxation is
about more than bonding: it has immediate
effects on the baby's physical,
emotional, and social development.
What's more, this period of skin-to-skin
contact improves the outcome for
both mother and baby.
Benefits of skin-to-skin
following birth
Studies have shown that skin-to-skin
contact immediately after birth helps
mothers by increasing oxytocin, resulting
in lower blood pressure, a quicker return to prepregnancy
hormone levels, and a lower incidence of
post-partum depression. It can reduce post-partum
bleeding, increase breastmilk production and improve
breastfeeding outcomes.
For babies, the list of benefits is even longer.
"
These babies are more successful
at breastfeeding immediately
after birth and demonstrate
improved weight gain.
Skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth has
been shown to improve babies' ability to absorb
and digest nutrients and maintain their body temperature.
Their heartbeat and breathing are more
stable, and they have higher blood oxygen levels.
These babies are more successful at breastfeeding
immediately after birth and demonstrate improved
weight gain. They spend more time in the crucial
deep sleep and quiet alert states and even cry less
often.
"
There are also long-term benefits of skin-to-skin
contact, such as improved brain development and
function and better parent attachment. Surprisingly,
skin-to-skin contact has even been linked to
stronger immune systems.
So why do grandparents need to know about
this? Because the key to realizing these benefits
is letting mother and baby enjoy this window of
time without distraction. Grandparents are not
part of the equation and allowing space for parents
to bond with their baby is the first generous
act you can complete as a grandparent.
Your chance to get to know your
new grandchild will come soon
enough. It will be worth the wait.
If you are lucky enough to be there for the
delivery, this means you can help improve the
health of both mother and baby by removing
yourself from the room. As hard as it might be,
you can give your new grandchild and its parents
an enormous gift by stepping away.
If you aren't there for the birth, don't be hurt if you
must wait for a FaceTime call or visit. Your chance
to get to know your new grandchild will come soon
enough. It will be worth the wait.
"
DeeDee Moore is the founder of More
Than Grand, where new grandparents
can find inspiration and resources to help
them learn everything they need to know
in their new role. DeeDee blogs about
issues that matter to grandparents - and
parents - such as concrete ways to help
new parents, understanding new trends
in childcare, and meaningful ways to
connect with your grandchildren.
"

https://www.facebook.com/GRANDmagazine https://twitter.com/grandmmagazine?lang=en https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/news-and-research/baby-friendly-research/research-supporting-breastfeeding/skin-to-skin-contact/ https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/news-and-research/baby-friendly-research/research-supporting-breastfeeding/skin-to-skin-contact/ https://morethangrand.com https://morethangrand.com

GRAND Magazine - Fall 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of GRAND Magazine - Fall 2022