I have a student who is asking me about the mechanism of benefit for  
skin-to-skin. I have
a feeling that increased oxytocin levels in both mom and baby are  
responsible for a lot
of the physiological stabilization, as well as the increase in feeding  
behaviors and
maternal behavior. However, I can't come up with 1) a mechanism for  
how this would work
in things like heart rate and breathing, and 2) evidence for the fact  
that oxytocin is
increased by skin contact (without necessarily breastfeeding). I know  
that it must be, but if anyone has evidence for this,
or a reference, I would greatly appreciate it.
I imagine the effects on physiological stabilization must be through  
the mechanism of
inhibition of stress responses (cortisol) and the sympathetic nervous  
system, but I'm
missing a real link to skin-to-skin and also lacking clarity on  
mechanisms involved.

Thanks for any help to this incorrigible physiology geek!

Kirsten Berggren, PhD
www.workandpump.com
and
University of Vermont, College of Nursing

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