There is little information on the benefit a dad and baby have to each other during skin to skin. Most of what I could find is geared towards the mother and how the baby started to find the nipple. There are some great benefits to breastfeeding but not all mothers or babies can do this and I can’t breastfeed a baby so I have no experience with it.

Breastfeeding starts with skin to skin, however, so that is where we will go.

I am a huge fan of skin to skin. I have felt a deeper connection with my oldest two kids by doing this. 

To be honest, my youngest kid screamed a lot and didn’t really want me to hold her until she was about 18 months old. We have only done skin to skin a few times. Our relationship now is really good and she enjoys snuggling when we read books at bedtime and I always get big hugs when I come home. The connection isn’t less, it is just different.

My older two were snuggle monsters when they were babies!! It was such a relaxing feeling to have a baby on my chest. I felt like a protector. I also felt trusted. Truly special moments. 

It is reported that babies that are engaged in skin to skin (a.k.a S2S), or Kangarooed, have better sleep, are less stressed, regulations of babies heart rate improves and babies have a better weight gain/maintenance potential.

All of these benefits are awesome for the baby.

A dad will feel more relaxed and have a better sense of happiness, be more affectionate and nurturing to a baby allowing for better bonding, and a dad will also have a boost of confidence through this skin to skin time with their baby.

Additionally, a dad that spends time in skin to skin with their child spends more time with their baby and thus is a more present father!! We are all about that! 

Build that bond with your baby, one skin to skin snuggle at a time.