Skin‑to‑skin contact after birth is a wonderful way to begin bonding with your baby.

Wherever possible, your midwife will help lift your baby onto your bare chest straight after they're born, often even before the cord is cut, so you can be close to each other right from the start. This gentle contact helps your baby adjust to life outside the womb and supports the beginning of a calm, loving connection between you both.

You can find out more about skin to skin, including safety information and breastfeeding, here.