Science Supports Skin to Skin

THE SCIENCE OF BONDING. THE REALITY OF BIRTH.

Designed for Bonding. Crafted for Comfort. Built on Evidence.

Birth is more than a medical event—it’s a defining emotional and physical moment for both mother and baby. Research consistently shows that early connection, maternal comfort, and postpartum safety all play a critical role in outcomes.

At Skin to Skin Gowns, we believe moms deserve an experience that is safe, supported, and deeply connected—from the first moment and beyond.

 

The Power of Skin-to-Skin Bonding

Skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth is widely recognized as a best practice in maternal and newborn care.

Why it matters:

  • Supports breastfeeding initiation and success
  • Helps regulate baby’s temperature, heart rate, and blood sugar
  • Reduces newborn stress and crying
  • Strengthens early maternal-infant bonding

For moms:

  • Promotes milk production
  • Encourages emotional connection
  • Supports a calmer, more confident postpartum experience

Sources: World Health Organization (WHO), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Cochrane Reviews

 

The Hidden Risk: Newborn Falls & Drops

While bonding is essential, the postpartum period also comes with real safety challenges.

Each year in the U.S., an estimated:

👉 600–1,600 newborns experience in-hospital falls or drops

Why does this happen?

  • Maternal exhaustion and sleep deprivation
  • Recovery from cesarean birth
  • Effects of pain medication
  • Overnight hours when fatigue peaks
  • Falling asleep while holding baby

Even in the best hospitals, these risks exist—and prevention depends on support, positioning, and awareness.

Sources: The Joint Commission, AHRQ PSNet, Pediatrics Journal

 

Understanding the Postpartum Reality

After delivery, mothers are navigating:

  • Physical recovery
  • Hormonal shifts
  • Emotional vulnerability
  • Sleep deprivation

Research shows:

  • Many mothers report feeling unsupported or unheard during care
  • Emotional experience during birth can impact long-term mental health
  • A positive, supported birth experience is critical to overall wellbeing

Sources: CDC MMWR, World Health Organization

 

Maternal Mental Health Matters

Birth experiences don’t end at delivery—they stay with mothers long after.

  • Up to 1 in 3 women describe childbirth as traumatic
  • Approximately 6% experience postpartum PTSD
  • Many more experience symptoms of anxiety, stress, or depression

These outcomes are influenced by:

  • Level of support during labor
  • Sense of safety and dignity
  • Ability to bond with baby early

Sources: American Society of Anesthesiologists, AJOG Reviews

 

 Why Safety & Experience Both Matter

Hospitals and care teams are balancing two critical priorities:

  1. Encouraging skin-to-skin bonding
  2. Preventing newborn falls and safety events

Newborn falls are recognized as:

  • A patient safety concern
  • A source of emotional distress for families
  • A potential driver of medical and legal risk

The solution isn’t choosing one over the other—it’s supporting both bonding and safety at the same time.

Source: The Joint Commission

 

 A Better Way to Support Moms & Babies

Mothers shouldn’t have to choose between:

  • Bonding and rest
  • Comfort and clinical access
  • Safety and connection

They deserve all of it.

That’s why Skin to Skin Gowns are designed to:

  • Support hands-free bonding
  • Promote safe positioning during skin-to-skin
  • Allow for rest while staying connected
  • Maintain modesty, comfort, and clinical access

Because the First Moments Matter

The first hour.

The first touch.

The first connection.

These moments shape everything that follows.

We’re here to help make them

safer, more comfortable, and more connected.

 

 

Homepage sources

¹ Monson SA, Henry E, Lambert DK, Schmutz N, Christensen RD. In-hospital falls of newborn infants: data from a multihospital health care system. Pediatrics. 2008 Aug;122(2):e277-80. doi: 10.1542/peds.2007-3811.

 

² Crenshaw JT. Care practice #6: No separation of mother and baby, with unlimited opportunities for breastfeeding. The Journal of Perinatal Education. 2014;23(4):211–217.

 

³ Gupta N, Deierl A, Hills E, Banerjee J. Systematic review confirmed the benefits of early skin-to-skin contact but highlighted lack of studies on very and extremely preterm infants. Acta Paediatr. 2021 Aug;110(8):2310-2315. doi: 10.1111/apa.15913. Epub 2021 May 24.

Science Page sources

References

  • World Health Organization – Skin-to-skin and positive childbirth experience
  • American Academy of Pediatrics – Skin-to-skin care guidance
  • The Joint Commission – Newborn fall prevention data
  • Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality – Maternal sleepiness and infant drop risk
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Maternity care experience data
  • American Society of Anesthesiologists – Postpartum PTSD statistics
  • American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology – PTSD and maternal outcomes