I have a rather dramatic illustration to share regarding the connection
between skin to skin contact and baby's first latch, if I may share:

Five months ago I had a spontaneous, uncomplicated, unmedicated hospital
birth.  My OB immediately laid my son in my arms, but he cried softly for
several minutes.  I wanted to settle him and wait  for APGARs, ect. before
he went to breast.  I asked my nurse to help me get my gown off because I
wanted to be skin to skin w/ him.  Within seconds of making contact with my
skin,  he turned his head toward my breast, with his mouth and eyes wide
open.  After positioning him (he was VERY slippery), he nursed on and off
for several hours before he slept.  He most definitely  swallowed
frequently, and when I hand expressed colostrum  (just for fun), it sprayed
him in the face.

The nurses were watching us the whole time, and they couldn't get over how
quickly he was ready to breastfeed, and how alert he was.

I, too, have seen many other examples of babies that need " skin" to be able
to wake up and eat.
Warmly,
Lisa Huntze, BSE, IBCLC

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