🫂 Dad skin-to-skin: building your own bond

Set up for safe closeness

• Choose a stable, supported seat only when you are alert and unlikely to doze.
• Baby can wear a nappy against your bare chest; avoid overheating, including during warm weather in Nigeria. Remove hats indoors.
• Keep baby's face visible, nose and mouth uncovered, and chin away from their chest.
• Ask the maternity team to help with positioning after birth, especially if baby is premature, unwell or needs monitoring.

Try skin-to-skin safely

1. 1. Choose a good moment

   Try it when you are calm and awake. After a birth or caesarean, ask staff when it is appropriate. At home, stop if either of you is uncomfortable.

2. 2. Support the whole baby

   Place baby upright against your chest with their head turned to one side. Support their head, neck and body without letting them slump or pressing their face into your skin.

3. 3. Watch, talk and respond

   Keep checking breathing, colour and temperature. Talk softly or simply enjoy the quiet. Skin-to-skin may soothe baby, but crying is a cue to check other needs too.

4. 4. Share care beyond cuddles

   Build your bond through nappies, feeding support, bathing and settling as well. Share meals, visits and transport after birth so both parents have time to rest and the birthing parent can recover. Any family support or rituals should be optional, respect privacy and follow your agreed feeding and safe-sleep plan.

5. 5. Move baby before you doze

   For sleep, place baby on their back on a flat, firm surface in their own separate, clear cot or bassinet, in your room for at least 6 months. No pillows, blankets or toys, and no hats indoors. Never sleep with baby on your chest, on a sofa or in a shared bed.

Classic mistakes

• ❌ Expecting a special dad technique Comfort depends on responsive, safe care—not a particular voice, body type or gender. Ask for help learning a hold that works.
• ❌ Continuing when sleepy or baby looks unwell Stop and transfer baby safely if you are drowsy. If baby has breathing difficulty, turns blue or becomes floppy, call 112. Emergency routing and arrival vary in Nigeria; keep your maternity facility's number and an emergency transport backup ready, and do not delay urgent care while waiting.

Same topic

• 👀 Supporting your newborn's visual development
• 💬 Building language through everyday conversation
• ️ Encouraging free movement
• 🍳 Eating well while caring for a baby

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