NuRoo

Closest to mom. Best for baby.

The Link between Skin-To-Skin and Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding Skin to Skin

Before I had my baby, I’d heard women talk about how “the breastfeeding thing” was tricky. And I thought, how can it be tricky? Seems like the most natural thing, right?

Then I had my baby. And yes, breastfeeding can be the most natural thing. It can be instinctual for both you and your little one. But, it can also prove challenging. Who’d have thought there was a technique? Am I doing it right? Is my baby getting enough?

So when my nurse midwife told me the simple practice of skin-to-skin would up my odds – significantly – of successful breastfeeding, I was pretty thrilled. Something so easy! Phew.

There’s a reason why both the Academy of Pediatrics and the Surgeon General are encouraging moms to practice skin-to-skin immediately after birth and throughout the post partum period. And that’s because research has shown that babies who are held skin-to-skin naturally seek out the breast and have better success latching; they have longer feedings, more intake, better weight gain; and an increased length of time that the baby receives only breastmilk.

Holy smokes. That’s huge. With all the other worries we have, isn’t it great to know that just holding your baby close to you will improve your breastfeeding outcome and help you meet your breastfeeding goals?

Keep it simple. Make immediate skin-to-skin contact part of your birth plan and continue to snuggle that little one skin-to-skin throughout those early months! See how the NüRoo Pocket provides coverage and mobility to mom’s practicing skin-to-skin. Available exclusively at Babies R Us.

 

 

 

Top 10 Myths of Kangaroo Care

                                         happy baby

The Academy of Pediatrics and the Surgeon General are encouraging moms to practice skin-to-skin immediately after birth and throughout the post partum period. Learn these myths to ensure mom and baby receive all the benefits!

  1. Kangaroo Care (KC) and Skin-to-Skin Contact are two different things.
    Not Necessarily. KC is the formal practice of Skin-to-Skin Contact where baby is wearing only a diaper, positioned vertically on mom’s chest, allowing for full bare chest to bare chest contact and nerve stimulation. Skin-to-Skin contact is a more colloquial term for the practice, but it can mean various Skin-to-Skin positions (ie: baby breastfeeding in moms arms, cheek to chest or belly to belly, none of which deliver the benefits of the practice).

  2. Any amount of time spent Skin-to-Skin delivers physiologic benefits.
    False. Baby needs to be held for an uninterrupted 60 minutes to elicit a hormonal cascade delivering all the physical benefits KC offers.

  3. Kangaroo Care is only for premature babies.
    False. It was initially utilized as a life saving practice for preterm infants but there is over 160 research studies on the full-term newborn that documents the need and benefits of KC. It is promoted as an “Essential element of newborn care to save and improve all newborn lives” by UNICEF, Save The Children and World Health organizations.

  4. Skin-to-skin’s only benefit is bonding.
    False. Research has shown bonding is one of many benefits that are received by mom and baby including accelerated brain development, less colic and crying, better eating and sleeping, improved weight gain and a stronger immune system. (Learn all the benefits here.)

  5. Kangaroo Care only works when a biological mother provides benefits to her baby.
    False. KC can be achieved by any human-to-human touch that triggers nerve stimulation on the front of the chest. This includes dads, grandparents, siblings and adoptive parents.

  6. Skin-to-Skin’s is only important immediately following birth.
    False. Skin-to-Skin’s is encouraged immediately after birth, throughout the hospital stay, and well after discharge. Families are encouraged to practice Skin-to-Skin’s for an uninterrupted 60 minutes during the first 12 weeks and beyond. The Academy of Pediatrics recommends Skin-to-Skin be given as long as possible and as frequently as possible during the post partum period.

  7. Kangaroo Care can only be performed in bed.
    False. Baby can be held in KC while mom is up on her feet, moving around so long as they are secure, supported, and in the correct KC position.

  8. Skin-to-skin contact is only for mom’s that plan to/are breastfeeding.
    False. All moms can practice skin-to-skin, regardless of their choice to breastfeed. The benefits received while holding baby in KC occurs independently of breastfeeding. The beneficial hormonal cascade does not occur while breastfeeding.

  9. Swaddling a baby is more conducive to keeping baby warm and calm than in comparison to skin-to-skin contact.
    False. When a baby is swaddled it cannot interact with his mother, the way nature intended. With skin to skin contact, the mother and the baby exchange sensory information that stimulates and elicits “baby” behavior: rooting and searching for the breast, staying calm, breathing more naturally, staying warm, maintaining his body temperature and maintaining his blood sugar. The very best environment for a baby to grow and thrive, is the mother’s body.

  10. Kangaroo Care only provides benefits to baby.
    False. Mom receives benefits from Kangaroo Care, too! The same hormonal cascade that is activated in baby’s body, also occurs in mom’s body delivering benefits that include: faster recovery from vaginal/c-section delivery, increased milk production, reduction of stress hormone and less risk for postpartum depression.

See how the NüRoo Pocket provides coverage and mobility to mom’s practicing skin-to-skin. Available exclusively at Babies R Us.

Our Favs from ABC Kids 2012

Team NüRoo spent a few days at The ABC Kids Expo in Louisville, KY. First, a little background on ABC: It’s the largest tradeshow in the U.S. for gear, furniture, toys, feeding and everything else ‘baby’. Over 900 exhibitors were there showing off their wares. We didn’t have a booth, but instead, met with publications and mommy bloggers to give them a sneak peek & let them know The NüRoo Pocket is coming! The showroom floor was full of new and innovative products… below are a few favorites our mommas are sure to love!

Kozii Breastmilk Warmer by Kiinde

My husband will admit to using our microwave to heat breastmilk in a pinch (inconsolable baby = hurry!), and who knows the right temperature hot water should be to keep breastmilk in-tact (boiling = bad). Finally, a quick and easy solution to making sure the nutrients remain… Pop any frozen pump bag or bottle into the Kozii warmer and wa-la. Created by two hilarious MIT guys, gone dad. Love them.

Everything Wee Gallery

The bold graphic designs by our new friends at Wee Gallery instantly captivated us, and will do lots more for your little ones… Wee Gallery animals are made of high-contrast repeating patterns to stimulate visual and brain development in infants. And as baby grows, they will fall in love with the designs all over again recognizing animals, sounds and shapes. Better than the grow with me features of these art cards, mobiles and wall graphics are the beautiful designs. Smart Art for Little Minds. Sign us up!

Guava Mitts by Guava Kids

For moms who use socks on their newborn’s hands because they can’t find mitts that stay on, we bring you… Guava Mitts. You can keep scratches and germs at bay with these adorable, adjustable mittens. Cute, reversible designs are both stylish and purposeful. Beautiful baby essentials that work.

We caught a late flight home and didn’t land in Providence till midnight. Sam, Hope’s hubby, picked us up from the airport. Is there anything sweeter than finding this at your doorstep (and walking into a house in tip-top shape) after being gone for 4 days? Our husbands rock.

 

 

 

Our Introduction to Skin-to-Skin Contact

I remember thinking, “Is everything really OK?”

It was a long and anxious road to my perfect birth story, but there she was at 12:21 lying on my chest, fingers and toes accounted for. And it felt so good. But given my prior delivery experiences, I didn’t want to take any chances, so I continued to question why my nurse midwife wasn’t bringing my baby to the warmer. Every time I asked, she said, “Look at your baby. This is where she needs to be.” And despite myself, I found the worry and fear fading away… and it was just the two of us, skin to skin.

My name is Hope. I’m a mom. I’m a healthcare provider. And that was my introduction to Skin-to-Skin Contact (Kangaroo Care).

 

 I held my daughter skin-to-skin immediately after birth, and we remained that way until she was ready to nurse and completed her first feeding. Shortly after, we moved to the post partum floor where we were greeted by family. I had no idea what to do when the nurse ushered my parents out of the room because my newborn’s temperature was dropping.

Lucky for me, she knew what was best. The nurse unswaddled her down to her diaper, told me to open my shirt, and placed baby on my chest. It was then that she told me the benefits of skin-to-skin beyond bonding. Within minutes, my daughter was warm, and I was hooked on the practice.

My name is Daniela. I’m a mom. I’m an Advertising Director. And that was my introduction to Skin-to-Skin Contact (Kangaroo Care).

 When our paths crossed months later, we were two moms who wanted to do what was best for our babies. And now, two years later, as co-founders of NüRoo, we’ve spent a good deal of time studying the benefits of Kangaroo Care (KC), or what many call Skin-to-Skin contact.

And there’s a lot to know. For instance…

What Is Skin-to-Skin Contact / Kangaroo Care?

Skin-to-Skin Contact, or Kangaroo Care (KC), is when you hold your infant, who is only wearing a diaper, in a vertical position against your bare chest, for an uninterrupted period of time.

What Does Skin-to-Skin contact  Do?

There’s a long list of benefits, but in a nutshell, being chest to chest activates a nerve that is postitioned along the front of both your chests, when stimulated triggers a natural hormone release that delivers strong physiologic and emotional benefits for BOTH OF YOU. This includes bonding and attachment, of course, but goes much, much further than that.

Who Is Kangaroo Care For?

Lots of moms we’ve met think Kangaroo Care is only for preemies, but in fact, it has tremendous benefits for both pre- and full-term infants. And, by the way, not only mom’s can provide Kangaroo Care – dads, siblings, and grandparents can deliver benefits to baby too!

When Do You Practice Skin-to-Skin?

The benefits don’t end when you leave the hospital. In fact, done properly — multiple times a day for a suggested 60 minutes, over the first three months of life — Kangaroo Care has important and lasting advantages for your baby’s health and development.

We’ve developed a product that’s intended to help you fit Skin-to-Skin into your daily routine. It will be available inn January and we’ll tell you more about it as we go along. But for now, we’re starting this blog in hopes of sharing our story and hearing yours.

Because as it turns out, nature (and nurses) have it right… The best place for both of you is when nothing comes between you.

Welcome to NüRoo.