Skin-to-skin contact and your baby's first feed

Spending time skin-to-skin after birth gives your baby the chance to follow their natural instincts and find their way to the breast for their first feed.

When your baby is born, they can be placed directly onto your bare chest. This close contact is known as skin-to-skin.
Being held this way helps your baby feel safe and calm. It also gives them the best chance to begin the journey to the breast.

This is a time for you and your baby to be together, quietly getting to know each other. Where possible, staying skin-to-skin until after the first feed allows your baby to follow their natural feeding instincts.

Skin-to-skin contact supports your baby in the small steps that lead to their first feed.

• Helps your baby stay calm and stable after birth
  Being close to you helps regulate your baby’s temperature, heartbeat, breathing and blood sugar levels. When your baby is settled and comfortable, they are more able to stay alert and begin feeding.
• Supports your baby’s natural feeding instincts
  Skin-to-skin contact triggers reflexes that help your baby move, search and prepare to feed. These instincts guide them towards the breast.
• Makes it easier for your baby to find and attach to the breast
  When your baby is lying on your chest, they can use their senses of smell, touch and movement to find the nipple. This increases the chance of a good latch and effective feeding.

Skin-to-skin contact also supports you and your ongoing breastfeeding relationship. You can read more about this in our Skin-to-skin contact article.

In the time after birth, many babies are quietly alert. While you are together skin-to-skin, you might notice your baby beginning to prepare for feeding.

They may:

• move their head from side to side
• bring their hands to their mouth
• suck on their fingers
• lick or nuzzle your breast
• gradually wriggle closer to the nipple

These early feeding cues show your baby is getting ready to attach and feed.

You don’t need to rush this time. Many babies take a while to move, explore and get ready to feed.

If you’re able to, continue skin-to-skin contact for at least the first hour after birth, and until after the first feed — even if your baby breastfeeds sooner. Staying close like this gives your baby the time and space to follow their instincts.

Some routine checks, such as weighing or measuring your baby, can often wait. Time for cuddles with your partner or family can also come after your baby has had their first feed.

Many babies are able to move towards the breast, attach and begin feeding on their own. This is sometimes called baby-led attachment. 

For some babies, this happens within the first hour after birth. For others, it can take longer.

It’s common for babies to spend time licking, nuzzling or resting before they are ready to attach. This is all part of the process of getting to the first feed.

You can continue to hold your baby skin-to-skin and watch for the signs that they are ready.

Some babies need more time before their first feed. They may be affected by medications or interventions used during the birth, or your baby may simply be moving at their own pace. 

Your baby may rest on your chest, then wake later and try again. Staying skin-to-skin helps them return to a calm, alert state when they are ready.

Even if feeding doesn’t happen straight away, this close contact is still supporting your baby’s instincts.

After their first breastfeed, many babies fall into a deep sleep. They may not wake to feed again for a while.
When your baby begins to stir and show signs of wanting to feed again, holding them skin-to-skin can help them wake and find the breast again more easily.

If you’re able to, continuing skin-to-skin for at least the first hour and until after the first feed, supports this early learning time for your baby. 

If skin-to-skin needs to pause for medical care, your baby can have skin-to-skin with another adult until you are ready to continue.

This video from Global Health Media shows babies using their instincts to move to the breast and begin their first feed.

© Australian Breastfeeding Association July 2026