Reclaiming Peace in Motherhood: The Healing Power of Skin-to-Skin Contact

Anna Turcotte

Prolonged, high stress levels have plagued motherhood for too long, specifically for new moms. In addition to recovering from childbirth, new mothers face the overwhelming pressures of managing multiple roles—caregiver, worker, housekeeper, and often businesswoman. These demands contribute to an unrelenting cycle of stress that can have severe health implications.  Research shows that the postpartum period is the most significant time of neurological change in a woman’s life, yet this critical phase is rarely treated with the care it deserves. Cultural expectations push moms to continue their busy routines, disregarding the fact that their lives have just been profoundly altered.

This burnout not only takes a toll on mothers’ health but also affects their ability to care for their children effectively. The consequences of mismanaged stress are significant, affecting every aspect of health. This is evident in these alarming statistics: According to the American Psychiatric Association, one in five pregnant or postpartum women experience mental health conditions, which have now become the leading cause of maternal mortality, contributing to 23% of childbirth-related deaths.

However, there is hope for positive change. At a time when stress seems unavoidable, it’s important to remember that new motherhood can—and should—be a time of peace, healing, and joy.  Dr. Carissa Stanton, a holistic pediatrician, is at the forefront of this change, offering practical solutions for mothers seeking to reclaim their well-being. Drawing from her two decades of expertise and personal experiences, Dr. Stanton empowers mothers to prioritize themselves and their families over societal pressures. In her book Motherhood Makeover, she shares transformative strategies to help mothers navigate their journey with more ease and grace.

Dr. Stanton emphasizes the importance of prioritizing self-care to improve maternal health and well-being. One powerful tool she advocates for is skin-to-skin contact, a simple but effective way to bond with a baby while also alleviating stress. We spoke with Dr. Stanton to learn more about the benefits of this practice in today’s hustle culture.

 

Dr. Carissa Stanton, pediatrician. 

 

Amidst hectic schedules, overstimulating environments, and information overload, skin-to-skin contact has the power to drown out the noise. This loving practice is a simple and effective way to reduce stress and anxiety while improving health outcomes for both mother and baby. Skin-to-skin contact naturally lowers cortisol levels (the stress hormone) while boosting oxytocin (the love hormone). In fact, mothers who regularly  engage in skin-to-skin contact have a lower risk of postpartum depression as it fosters emotional connection and well-being. This, in turn, positively affects babies, as children naturally reflect their mothers' physiological state.

“Modern hustle culture is not built to benefit mothers and children. Therefore, we have to resist outside pressures and create our own ‘bubble’ in our home by prioritizing, setting boundaries, and creating a counterculture that benefits our family. Nothing matters more than our own family, so we should not make decisions based on outside expectations. Instead, we should prioritize our connection with our children over what the rest of the world wants from us,” Dr. Stanton said. 

Dr. Stanton emphasized that skin-to-skin contact provides both immediate and long-term benefits for both mothers and babies, further highlighting the importance of meaningful time together. She shared that skin-to-skin contact promotes bonding, stabilizes heart rate and breathing, and helps with breastfeeding and feeding instincts. It also strengthens the immune system, boosts confidence in parenting, and supports postpartum recovery. For babies, skin-to-skin contact helps regulate blood sugar and oxygen levels, while for mothers, it reduces anxiety and aids in healing. All of these benefits work together to improve long-term health and the relationship between mother and child. 

 

A new mom and her baby practice skin-to-skin contact. 

 

As Dr. Stanton  explains: “There are numerous benefits for moms and babies, not only for that moment, but it can have long-lasting effects. Anytime we can replicate what nature intended, there are benefits. It is natural for a mom and baby to touch with nothing between them, especially after birth. Mother and infant bodies are wired to release chemicals and regulate together. It is unnatural for mom and baby to be separated.”

The bond formed through skin-to-skin contact reaches beyond emotional benefits; it has a profound impact on both the mother's and baby's physiological states. When a mother is calm, her baby’s nervous system responds in kind, reflecting their mother’s emotional and physical state.

“When a baby is in contact with a mother, the mother releases hormones and neurotransmitters that calm the nervous system. And when a mother is calm, then the baby is calm because children mirror their parent's nervous system state. Think of a mother animal in the wild: when the baby animal is far from the mother, both get nervous and start frantically looking for each other. Humans are no different, even though we are cognitively able to rationalize, our instincts still want to be close to our infant, which makes our nervous system react underneath,” Dr. Stanton said. 

This instinctual need for closeness between mother and baby is a natural, biological response. As Dr. Stanton explains, the transition from the womb to the outside world can be stressful for both mom and baby, as they are so deeply attuned to each other. The soothing effect of skin-to-skin contact helps ease this change, replicating the familiar environment of the womb and supporting both mother and baby through this important adjustment. During skin-to-skin contact, the baby can hear mom’s familiar heartbeat, smell her comforting scent, and feel her warmth, all of which remind the baby of their cozy oasis in the womb. 

 

A new mom and her baby cuddling. 

 

“An infant spent 9 months in the mother's womb, so ‘normal’ for both mom and baby to be close to each other. After birth, mom and baby can go through what I call ‘womb withdrawal,’ which can be stressful for both. What helps this sudden change is by trying to replicate the womb, and skin-to-skin helps ease the transition from womb to world,” Dr. Stanton said.

Thanks to advocates like Dr. Stanton, change is already underway. More mothers are rejecting the notion that stress must define their experience and are instead choosing to prioritize their well-being, reshaping their outlook on motherhood. Every time a mom sets a boundary, prioritizes herself and her family over societal pressures, or accepts help from loved ones, she not only cares for herself but also sets a powerful example for others. Each act of support, whether it’s a friend delivering a meal or a family member easing her workload, challenges the unrealistic expectations placed on mothers. And every unhurried moment spent bonding with her baby - especially through skin-to-skin contact - has a lasting effect on both her and her baby's mental health.

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Sources: 

Diana Clarke et al., "Perinatal Mental and Substance Use Disorder" (white paper, Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association, 2023). https://www.psychiatry.org/getmedia/344c26e2-cdf5-47df-a5d7-a2d444fc1923/APA-CD 

University of Kansas Medical Center. (2024, January 16). Mental health and maternal mortality: New commentary highlights critical issue. University of Kansas Medical Center. https://www.kumc.edu/about/news/news-archive/mental-health-maternal-mortality.html

Rogers, L., & Peraza, L. (2024). Gray matter loss and the permanence of this major remodeling event in human brain development. Nature Neuroscience, 27(2), 211-219. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-024-01741-0 

UNICEF. (n.d.). Skin-to-skin contact. UNICEF. https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/implementing-standards-resources/skin-to-skin-contact/

Feldman, R., Weller, A., Zagoory-Sharon, O., & Levine, A. (2012). Evidence for a neurobiological model of human bonding. Psychological Science, 23(3), 291–296. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22537390/#:~:text=Results:%20Compared%20to%20mothers%20in,stress%20in%20the%20postpartum%20period.