Skin-to-skin contact
Abbreviation: SSC
Skin-to-skin contact means placing a naked or lightly wrapped newborn directly against a parent's bare chest right after birth, or at any time during the early weeks. The warmth and closeness help regulate the baby's body temperature, heart rate, and breathing. It also stimulates the release of hormones that support breastfeeding and bonding. Both mothers and fathers can do skin-to-skin, and it is beneficial even after a caesarean birth. Most Singapore hospitals support immediate skin-to-skin in the delivery room when mother and baby are both stable.
What This Means for You
Understanding Skin-to-skin contact is an important part of your birth/postpartum journey. In your baby's first year, you will hear this term from your paediatrician and in parenting communities. Knowing what it means helps you respond quickly and confidently.
Explore our Baby hubGood to Know
Always keep the baby upright with their head turned to one side and airways clear. Never let yourself fall asleep while holding a baby skin-to-skin on a bed or sofa.
Related Terms
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-data/mpinc/supporting-evidence.html
Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised advice.
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