Does Being Intentional With Skin-On-Skin Contact Have An Impact?

When GrandGirl #1 was born, I perked up when I learned how my son and daughter-in-law were very intentional with their approach to skin-on-skin contact with their daughter. They told me it mattered. It even has a name: kangaroo care!!

Does it really make a difference?

I learned that my son let the baby lay on his bare chest when he lounged on the couch. My daughter-in-law was breast feeding, so the contact was a regular occurrence. What they were trying to achieve, I later came to understand, is that for all of us, it improves the intensity of connection.

I discovered that the data is out there and studies have shown that, with babies, it promotes:

• Physiological stability: Immediately regulates body temperature, heart rate and breathing
• Stress reduction: Decreases crying, heart rate elevation and spikes in stress hormones like cortisol
• Enhanced development: Supports neurobehavioral development and self-regulation

Hmmmmm. Even studies in rats reveal that those who are handled less are more high-strung and apprehensive.

This intentional skin contact practice continued well beyond infancy. I see my son tossing around both GrandGirls #1 and #2 in a very playful way and they love it. In fact, GrandGirl #1 squeals with delight. She also gets chased and gently tackled and her laughter clearly demonstrates that she thinks it’s fantastic.

I also notice how much focus my daughter-in-law places on #2 getting held and bounced, something that could potentially get neglected with her older sister running around and getting into mischief.

Ultimately, I see the net result of their efforts. They have very happy, stable, non-fearful children.

I believe I could be benefitting from their practices as well because, very often, GrandGirl #1 is eager to hold my hand and lead me to something she wants me to see or do with her. I especially like when she does that. I really enjoy holding her teeny tiny itty bitty hand and that form of contact certainly enhances our connection. As does me holding her tight when I bounce her on an inflated ball. The same with sitting side by side as we look at a bunch of books.

I did some additional research and I learned that skin-on-skin contact in adults offers numerous benefits, too, including reducing stress and anxiety by lowering cortisol levels and increasing feel-good hormones like oxytocin and endorphins. It can also deepen emotional bonds in relationships by promoting feelings of security, love and trust.

It can help in healing trauma by restoring a sense of safety. For older adults, it may improve mood and lower aggression, while for any adult, it can lead to better emotional regulation and a stronger sense of well-being by augmenting a calmer approach which better equips people to handle life's challenges.

Overall, skin-on-skin contact can lead to a greater sense of happiness and can improve mood. It achieves this by strengthening interpersonal relationships – touch communicates care, empathy and support.

It can even lower blood pressure and heart rate. And a byproduct of all of this is a boost to the immune system by enabling it to function more efficiently.

The truth is, we all thrive on this practice and chances are, we’ll never get too much of it either.