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Skin-to-skin contact helps babies to adjust to life outside the womb and supports mothers to initiate breastfeeding and develop close, loving relationships with their baby.

A video showing the importance of skin to skin contact.

A baby who attaches well to the breast can help prevent many breastfeeding problems. It's more likely for breastfeeding to be comfortable and for the baby to be able to remove milk well from the breast. This helps ensure a good milk supply so the baby grows well. Find out about baby-led attachment.

Find out why skin to skin contact is so important for baby, Mum and partner.

The Mama Aroha app provides information about many aspects of breastfeeding. It includes information on the importance of breastfeeding, support for breastfeeding skin to skin, supply and demand feeding, what to expect, feeding cues, latching and positioning, hand expressing and milk storage. Check out how to use the app (PDF, 1.73 MB). 

This app provides information about various aspects of breastfeeding - from how to prepare for breastfeeding during pregnancy, through to the first few days and the early weeks. In provides guidance on common issues such as latching and positioning your baby, hand expressing and breast care. In addition, the app has information on more unusual issues such as breastfeeding twins and early babies (premature), and frequently asked questions around breastfeeding such as medicines, contraception and smoking when breastfeeding.