What benefit does skin-to-skin contact provide immediately after birth for breastfeeding?

Skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth is crucial for fostering breastfeeding success. This practice encourages the newborn's natural instinct to crawl toward the breast and latch on, which is essential for initiating breastfeeding. When placed on the mother's chest, the newborn is exposed to familiar sounds, smells, and warmth, which enhances the bonding experience and stimulates the baby's rooting reflex. This physiological connection helps to trigger the release of hormones in both the mother and the baby that promote breastfeeding, including oxytocin, which aids in milk let-down and facilitates the establishment of early breastfeeding.

While skin-to-skin contact may have some role in reducing stress or supporting maternal physiological responses, its primary and most significant benefit regarding breastfeeding is its ability to promote a successful latch and initiate feeding. Therefore, this benefit underscores the importance of immediate skin-to-skin contact after delivery in facilitating a healthy breastfeeding relationship.