Skin to skin: the hug that changes everything

The first contact between a mother and her baby doesn't happen with words or a look. It happens skin-to-skin. That moment when the newborn is placed directly on the mother's breast marks the beginning of a deep connection that goes beyond affection: it has immunological, neurological, and emotional benefits that will accompany the child throughout his or her life.

“Skin-to-skin contact isn't just a matter of tenderness or emotional closeness. It has proven effects on regulating the baby's body temperature, heart rate, and oxygenation, as well as facilitating the initiation of breastfeeding,” says Gemma Ruiz Crespo, a midwife at Dexeus University Hospital .

A vulnerable organ

The skin, with its surface area of ​​more than two square meters in an adult, is the largest organ in the human body. And in the case of newborns, it is also the most vulnerable. Unlike adult skin, a baby's skin is between 30% and 40% thinner, making it more sensitive to irritation, infections, and environmental changes. Therefore, protecting it from day one is essential to ensure its healthy development.

And this care begins even before birth. During pregnancy, the mother's hormonal changes and metabolic environment affect the maturation of the fetus's skin barrier. A balanced diet, stress management, adequate hydration, and the use of cosmetic products free of chemicals, parabens, and endocrine disruptors can help ensure that immature skin is better prepared for birth.

Reducing newborn stress At birth, the baby experiences a radical change that can be cushioned through skin-to-skin contact with the mother.

After birth, the newborn's body undergoes a radical transition: from amniotic fluid to dry air; from constant warmth to temperature changes; from the silence of the uterus to sound stimuli. In this context, skin-to-skin contact acts as a kind of "bridge" that cushions the impact of the outside world, helping the baby stabilize its vital functions and reduce stress, the expert maintains.

Effects on the mother

This contact also has effects on the mother: it reduces the risk of postpartum hemorrhage, stimulates the production of oxytocin (the bonding hormone), and promotes milk supply. Furthermore, it has been proven that mothers who practice skin-to-skin contact have higher rates of exclusive breastfeeding and breastfeed for longer periods of time.

In the hours and days following birth, topical care should focus on respecting the baby's skin. Experts recommend avoiding bathing in the first 24 hours, not removing the vernix caseosa (a whitish, protective substance that covers the skin at birth), using mild, fragrance-free cleansers, and applying emollient creams if there are signs of dryness. Moisturizing, frequently changing diapers, and observing any signs of irritation or dermatitis are simple but essential steps.

As Gemma Ruiz Crespo explains, it's not about applying too many products, but rather applying the necessary ones correctly. A newborn's cosmetics should be minimalist, free of allergens, alcohols, and harsh preservatives. And always supervised by a pediatrician.

Associated benefits Caring for a baby's skin also helps to protect their emotional development, their relationship with their environment, and their immune system.

Caring for a baby's skin isn't just a matter of aesthetics: it's a way of protecting their immune system, their emotional development, and their relationship with their environment. And that care begins, symbolically and biologically, with a hug: the first one. Skin to skin.