Did you know dads can do skin to skin too? Well really any support person can do skin to skin!!
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“According to Dr. Nils Bergman, who recently presented to the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, research shows just 30 minutes of skin to skin with dad actually rewires dad’s brain.”
𝗦𝗮𝘆, 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁? 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝗱’𝘀 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻?
“When dad spends time skin to skin with his newborn hormonal changes occur including a rise in dopamine. Dopamine is responsible for many things including pleasure.
A rise in dopamine plus the release of oxytocin means dad’s brain creates a positive association with close interaction with baby. It seems that skin to skin with dad can help dad’s natural parenting instincts to kick in.
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We often hear about the importance of skin to skin between mother and baby as it helps prevent postnatal hemorrhage, aides in beginning lactation, and helps stabilise baby’s breathing and temperature. [As well as heart rate and even blood sugar]
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We don’t always hear about the importance of skin to skin with dad. Baby benefits from any close contact, but it seems in this situation, dad also has a lot to gain biologically from skin to skin.
By encouraging this contact on the first day of life, we can help dads begin parenthood in a positive way. Rewiring the brain to seek close contact with baby can mean an easier transition not only for dad but also for baby and mother.”
So if mother is ever unable to do skin to skin right after birth; this is a perfect opportunity to have dad/support person involved. It’s a win-win!
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Parts quoted from Maria Pyanov, CPD, CCE and her article on BellyBellyBaby.
Credit:
@doulaproandparenteducation
@thebetterboob
@bellybellybaby
📷: Photo shared with permission by @kerfoxphotos
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