The first hour after birth is often referred to as the “Magical Hour.” A baby placed on her mother’s chest right after being born tends to show nine distinct stages of bonding including relaxation and rooting to suckle. Studies have shown that this beautiful early bonding correlates to babies who breastfeed more easily and often. The close physical contact could also help mom produce more of the feel-good hormone oxytocin which is connected to ample milk production.

Research has shown that newborns who have had skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth are far more likely to latch to the breast within the first hour than those who miss out on that critical time together. A good latch is key to successful breastfeeding for several reasons: babies who latch well are more successful at getting the amount of milk they want and they are also less likely to create soreness for mom. The more uncomfortable mom is, the less likely she is to want to continue nursing. For nipple chaffing or discomfort, don’t hesitate to spread your own colostrum over the nipple area and then use an organic, edible nipple salve for extra protection.

Don’t worry if your baby doesn’t latch on right away. Most healthy full-term babies will eat when they show signs of being ready. Moms who have baby close to them for skin-to-skin time also tend to recognize the signs of hunger and fullness more quickly in their babies.

Close contact during the very first hour after birth can raise the prolactin levels in Mom, which is the hormone chiefly responsible for making enough milk to feed baby. In fact, the increase in a mother’s oxytocin and prolactin levels in the first few hours after birth can have lasting positive effects on milk production.

When there’s lots of milk, even if baby has a less than ideal latch, he can usually still get enough, although this is not ideal as it could lead to complications like feeding too often, blocked ducts or even mastitis.

Even if you do not breastfeed your child, having lots of skin-to-skin time can still be a boon in recognizing your baby’s cues for hunger and satiety.

Practicing skin-to-skin care right from start has been linked with a higher rate of moms exclusively breastfeeding after leaving the hospital. Breast milk is not only the perfect source of sustenance for baby, but it also passes critical antibodies to baby from Mom. Skin-to-skin contact during breastfeeding and otherwise also allows other antibodies to be transferred from Mom’s skin to baby’s skin.

In addition to the skin-to-skin contact you share during feedings, there are a variety of activities you can incorporate into your daily lives to promote and support ample milk production through skin-to-skin care. Massage with a probiotic massage serum is one of the best.

Using skin care products with ingredients that promote the health of skin and body like essential fatty acids and probiotics on you and your baby during these early moments could boost the benefits of skin-to-skin care by supporting skin barrier development and the healthy balance of dermal micro flora. Choose skincare products for you and baby with a pH of 5.5, with no proteins and that are free of artificial fragrances and mineral oil.

When it comes to your skin, squeaky clean is not necessarily best. Although it’s easy to equate a good lather with good health, the well-being of our entire system is dependent upon the right balance between good bacteria and potentially harmful bacteria. Our bodies contain literally millions of healthy micro flora (otherwise known as bacteria) everywhere from our skin to our mouths and gastrointestinal tracts. For these microbes to keep our systems healthy, we need to keep them in balance. This is especially true in your baby’s skin which is still developing and more vulnerable than adult skin.

The healthy colonization of bacteria on baby’s skin occurs during the first 48 hours after birth. The micro flora transferred from mom to baby during initial skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth is essential to the development of baby’s healthy immune system. This proper colonization of baby’s skin helps optimize immunity and could minimize risk of diseases and by hospital-borne infections like MRSA.

An-out of-whack bacterial system can lead to stomach troubles, rashes and other uncomfortable flare-ups. Poor diets, stress or antibiotics all have the potential to offset this delicate balance of good and bad bacteria. When it comes to skin, a key function of our healthy micro flora is to keep the harmful bacteria at bay. Balanced skin does this in two ways: First, the good micro flora take up most of the available surface space, leaving little room for problem-causing microbes to grow; Secondly, beneficial bacterial produce acids that keep skin pH low, creating an inhospitable environment for most disease-causing bacteria.

Using probiotic-enriched products on your own skin – both before and after baby is born – can help develop and maintain a healthy balance of good bacteria at the optimal pH level. Make sure you’re supporting balanced micro flora by using healthy skin care products on your little one too. Seek out products for you and baby with a pH of 5.5, with no proteins and that are free of artificial fragrances and mineral oil.

To help ensure that your baby is getting ample quantity and quality of the right micro flora, consider using probiotic products on your own skin during pregnancy and ensure skin-to-skin contact after birth for as much of the first 48 hours as possible, and at the very least, aim for that critical first hour after birth.

In the United States Cesarean sections are performed on about a third of women giving birth, more than in any other country. The routine practice after surgery is to separate the mother and baby which interferes with skin-to-skin contact. Even after a C-section, there are many benefits to having mom hold her baby as early as possible.

After most typical Cesareans, there is only a short introduction between newborn and mom before they are separated for up to two or more hours. Baby is taken from the mom to be weighed, examined, measured and swaddled while the mother is taken to a recovery room. The baby is then typically taken to a warmer in a nursery while the mom is recovering from the effects of anesthesia.

The World Health Organization recommends ALL newborns have skin-to-skin care, regardless of the baby’s weight, gestational age, or birth setting. In a study comparing those recovering from a Cesarean who had skin-to-skin contact in the first hour after birth vs. those who did not have very early contact, average baby temperatures during the first hour after birth were significantly better in the skin-to-skin group.

Whether a C-Section is planned or not, it is important to speak with your birthing team about the benefits and practice of skin-to-skin care, long before baby’s actual delivery.

It’s not uncommon to experience the “baby blues” after giving birth. The sudden shift in hormones, the lack of sleep and the transition into parenthood can all contribute to feelings of anxiety – even sadness, or being overwhelmed. Postpartum depression can be more than just a serious case of the blues; it can interfere with your ability to take care of yourself and your little one. Seeking help and support to alleviate these feelings is paramount to feeling better.

Caring for yourself and baby through touch can help alleviate symptoms of depression. Whether cradling your naked baby against your bare chest, massaging or simply caressing your baby’s face, ample skin-to-skin contact is critically important for both you and baby. Skin-to-skin contact with your baby can raise your levels of oxytocin, a “feel-good” hormone, which will help lift your spirits. A recent study in the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecological, and Neonatal Nursing showed that skin-to-skin contact between mom and baby could be an effective alternative to medication in alleviating symptoms of postpartum depression. Another study showed that skin-to-skin contact with baby at least three hours a day reduced baby crying by as much as 43 percent. Those same babies not only fell asleep faster but for longer too, which means more sleep for mom and less stress from being overtired.

Even in cases where medication is needed to help relieve postpartum depression symptoms, finding ways to incorporate skin-to-skin time with baby can be part of an integrated approach to feeling better. A routine including baby massage is an excellent way to ensure extra daily touch for both mom and baby. You can massage her lightly with a natural, unscented massage serum to help support baby’s skin barrier properties, further boosting the health benefits of skin-to-skin moments with actively healthy ingredients like essential fatty acids and probiotics. Keep in mind, it is important to avoid mineral oil, proteins and artificial fragrances in all skincare products for mom and baby.

A professional or partner massage for yourself is also a valuable management tool to help reduce the stress symptoms that typically accompany postpartum depression.

The most classic definition of ‘Skin-to-Skin Care’ (which is the same as ‘Kangaroo Care’) refers specifically to sessions of 60 minutes of continuous touch between baby and mom in the first moments, hours and days after baby is born. First, baby is placed on mother’s chest immediately after birth, where the cascade of normal hormonal physiological benefits will occur. Baby will show nine distinct stages of bonding including relaxation, crawling (Yes! A newborn will actually wiggle towards the breast!) and rooting to suckle.

The latest research shows that while the 60 minute time frame recommended for classic Kangaroo Care is important, it touches on just a fraction of the benefits available to baby and mom from a more comprehensive understanding of skin-to-skin care. Even six seconds of skin-to-skin touch is often enough to raise the ‘love and bonding’ hormone oxytocin, which could make breastfeeding easier and reduce the symptoms of postpartum depression. Studies have shown that even brain development is enhanced in babies who had ample skin-to-skin contact in those early hours and weeks after being born. It also helps bring baby’s heart rate, temperature, and blood pressure and breathing rates back to normal after the stimulation of being born. Babies experience stress as they go through the birthing process and your baby instinctively knows that nestling into your chest is the best place she could be to rest and recuperate.

Additionally, it is within the first 48 hours after birth that baby’s skin is first colonized with the beneficial bacteria from Mom that helps keep baby’s dermal micro flora (skin surface bacteria) in protective balance.
The natural colonization of baby’s skin with the same bacteria as found on mom’s skin, plus breastfeeding, are thought to help prevent allergic reactions in baby as she ages. Skin-to-skin closeness with Mom, immediately after birth and beyond, are critical to support breastfeeding and healthy, protective skin through the proper micro flora colonization.

As baby gets older, there are plenty of opportunities for parents to share increased skin-to-skin contact time, through baby massage, giving baby a bath, taking a nap together, or just playing simple games together while touching (Peek a boo with baby in your lap and a board book!)

As parents, we know the first five years of a child’s life are the foundation for developing knowledge, skills, behavior and emotions. One of the first ways babies experience the world is through touch – making their tender, delicate skin, and its care, so significant to their overall health and development. The grooming rituals created during this formative time translate into a healthy lifestyle for the future.

Touch is your baby’s most highly developed sense at birth, and was the first sense her brain registered in the womb.  The act of touch is more than gentle expression of love, it allows you to reassure, nurture and build your baby’s cognitive and physical strengths – instrumental to a robust immune system.

“Being touched and caressed, being massaged, is food for the infant.  Food as necessary as minerals, vitamins, and proteins.” Frederick Leboyer, M.D.

Massage can influence your baby’s hormone levels, elevating oxytocin, to help her respond positively to stressful situations.  The result is a stronger immune system that is more prepared to handle the challenges in our environment today.

More easy tips for reducing chemical exposure and boosting immunity:

1. Wash hands!  Simple and still the most effective preventative against the spread of germs.  Natural antibacterials such as thyme oil and orange extract offer added benefits – but a good, all natural soapy scrubbing using warm water is more than sufficient!
2. Eat a rainbow! Colorful foods are high in antioxidants — powerful nutrients that help fuel the body’s immune system.
3. Go barefoot!  Shoes harbor pesticides and other potentially harmful chemicals.  Take shoes off outside to reduce indoor pollution.
4. Choose all-natural products.  But, if you can’t, skip the baby shampoo and just use water and a washcloth.  Pediatricians have long recommended plain old water as the simplest method for keeping baby clean. If you don’t have access to products that are free from harmful chemicals, then skip them.

As with all healthy habits, creating good grooming routines during the first five formative years have lasting positive benefits for both body and mind. What we teach our children when they are young, is our gift to them as they flourish.

The front line defenses of the immune system are located at the respiratory system (lungs), the digestive system (stomach) and the skin.  These three areas are where harmful elements such as germs, viruses and toxins are introduced into the body, so it is no surprise they are where our body’s strongest defenses are housed.  One important way to reduce the immune systems’ workload is to reduce the body’s need to process everyday, unnecessary chemicals at these points of entry.   A simple way to think about this, and help improve your child’s immunity, is to decrease the chemicals that go IN, ON and AROUND your baby’s body.

1. In- Food: To help prevent the build-up of toxins in your baby’s body, you can provide her with natural and organic food that is grown without the use of pesticides and dangerous fertilizers.  BONUS:  Organic ingredients are naturally more potent antioxidants – as much as 30% more – so the free radicals our bodies are exposed to (and produce) are offset better and faster by choosing organic ingredients.  DOUBLE DUTY: Specific food choices affect the skin (the “ON” category). Nearly any skin condition can be improved with better circulation and more efficient toxin elimination. Circulation and toxin elimination control how the skin gets the oxygen and nutrients it needs to heal and how hard it has to work to help the body stay healthy. Choose brightly colored, natural foods to best support your skin’s immunity and even to boost natural sun protection from the inside out!

2. On- About 70% of what goes on your skin goes in, and can hit your bloodstream in 30 seconds.  And, about 30% of unscheduled visits to the pediatrician are caused by a scary skin problem that probably could have been avoided. Further, eczema rates in babies and kids are reaching 25% now where they were only 5% 20 years ago.

Skin Care Products: Typical skin care products can be drying and filled with harsh (even toxic) chemicals. When developing baby skin is dehydrated, under-nourished, cracked, irritated or disrupted, whole body immunity can be compromised. You can wash your baby’s hair and body with baby wash that is free from harsh chemicals.

Avoid Fragrances!  The word “fragrance” in personal care products can indicate upwards of 4000 chemicals that are not required to be listed on an ingredient label. Synthetic fragrances are used to make goods such as fabrics and cleaning supplies smell more “appealing”. These fragrances are usually generated with a mix of chemicals including benzene, ammonia, ethylene glycol, and other petroleum based synthetics that are known toxins or carcinogens.

Avoid Petrochemicals! Mineral oil, petroleum jelly, and paraffin wax are examples of petrochemicals. The production and disposal of these ingredients is damaging to our environment and they may contain toxic byproducts like 1-4 dioxane.

3. Around-  Household cleaning products, paints, carpets and even furniture can emit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) into the air and are considered a primary source of indoor air pollution.  VOCs, including formaldehyde, ammonia and acetone, can harm eyes, nose, throat, liver, kidneys, and cause nausea, headaches, and loss of coordination. Here are a few ways to avoid them:

Cleaning Supplies and Fabrics: Choose household cleaning products that are effective without generating ammonia vapors. Wash clothing without bleach and artificial fragrances.

Seek Out Natural Materials! Natural fabric materials like wool, cotton, silk, hemp, bamboo, and linen are better for the body because they are breathable and better for planet due to safer production and disposal. Plus, there are organic options that further reduce the chemical load for both the body and the planet. Rayon is a good synthetic choice because it’s made from cellulose, not petrochemicals like polyester, acrylic and nylon.

As a parent, you can carefully select hydrating, nourishing and protective all-natural ingredients, which specifically and safely help support skin immunity proper moisture and nutritional balance to support skin health.

Many nutrients applied to the skin are absorbed into the bloodstream and distributed throughout the body. Unfortunately, the same is true for harmful chemicals that are remarkably prevalent in personal care products – even those marketed for babies.

Here are some healthy ingredients to look for:

Probiotics: Probiotics support healthy bacteria that are necessary for the skin’s strength and immune system. They are particularly important for eczema or other bothered skin conditions.

Organics: Organic ingredients have more nutritional value for the skin with greater antioxidant capabilities than their non-organic counterparts.

Natural Fruit Extracts: With the high polyphenol content found in natural fruit butters and extracts, you can soothe your baby’s skin, benefiting from fruit’s super antioxidant properties.

While many parents worry about their kids’ exposure to the chemicals and pollutants found in food and the air, the absorption of toxins through the skin is a health risk that is often overlooked. Skin acts as our barrier to the environment, but it is designed to be permeable – meaning substances both healthy and unhealthy pass through the skin into the body.

Health risks including increased rates of cancer, allergies, mental illness, nervous system disorders, endocrine dysfunction and many others have been unequivocally linked to the increased chemicals present in our environment.  While everyone is at risk from such exposure, babies and young children pay the highest price.

This year’s flu strain is making headlines.  While the media debates the effectiveness and safety of the upcoming vaccine for our children, we’d like to add to your toolbox with a few natural approaches to preventing sickness and boosting immunity!

The skin is part of the body’s immune system, responsible for three specific functions.

1. Barrier Immunity – the skin is a permeable barrier.  It is designed to keep out and move out stuff the body does need, like dirt, germs, bacteria and waste. Skin care ingredients that help create a stronger barrier include fruit butters (like Shea) and most importantly, probiotics.

2. Antimicrobial Immunity – the skin has natural antimicrobial and antibacterial properties that can defend against germs and bacteria on its surface. Skin care ingredients with known antimicrobial properties like thyme and orange oils can boost the skin’s natural protection.

3. Assistive Immunity – the skin helps the body identify, recognize and remember germs and bacteria for the rest of the body to be able to initiate a well-targeted immune response for both the first and future encounters. Skin care ingredients like flax, borage and primrose oils are rich in essential fatty acids which are moisturizing and essential to keep the skin from drying out. Colostrum is another wonderful ingredient that supports skin immunity.

The body’s immune system — its basic protective mechanisms — are dependent upon healthy skin. As a parent, your selection of pure, natural and organic baby skin care products, as well as adherence to healthy skin care rituals, is critically important to your child’s health.  Radiant, healthy skin not only looks great, but works to keep your baby’s body strong. With proper natural skin care, respect for the body can be instilled from birth and result in lasting health, grace, and confidence.

is more than a protective cover, its healthy condition is vital to the functions of our whole immune system. In addition to creating a barrier against the elements, the skin houses immune cells and produces antibodies.  It is also one of the body’s 3 main systems for eliminating toxins, along with the lungs and digestive system. Therefore, naturally healthy skincare is essential to supporting your baby’s immune system.

Supporting skin immunity is a tool in your arsenal to battle all kinds of illness, even colds and flu. Many don’t know the skin plays a vital role in immunity, or that proper skin care can indeed contribute to overall health.

Dry, cracked skin is typical in winter months.  More than annoying, these conditions leave the body more susceptible to viruses and bacteria that circulate from contact and through the air. When developing skin is dehydrated, under-nourished, cracked, irritated or disrupted, whole body immunity can be compromised.

Keep the skin well supported with 3 simple steps. For best protection, the first step is to start with a moisturizing cleanser, then second, nourish the skin (ideally in two phases) with a water and then an oil infused moisturizer – like an aloe vera based cream, followed by an essential fatty acid rich lotion. Then third, defend the skin with protective balms with a mild SPF factor – especially the facial area where skin is most exposed to the ravages of dry air and temperature changes.

Keeping skin healthy and hydrated is an important step in supporting the whole body’s immunity!