Especially for Intended Parents Working with a Surrogate

The moment you meet your baby is powerful; it is emotional, overwhelming, and unforgettable. For Intended Parents (IPs) welcoming a baby through surrogacy, that first moment can look a little different. That said, one thing remains just as important: skin-to-skin contact.

Skin-to-skin is more than just a sweet moment between a child and its parents; it’s backed by science and plays a vital role in helping babies transition to the world while aiding in the bonding journey.

What Is Skin-to-Skin Contact?

Skin-to-skin (sometimes called “kangaroo care”) means placing a naked or diaper-only newborn directly on a parent’s bare chest shortly after birth. The baby is typically covered with a warm blanket while resting against the parent.

What are the benefits of skin-to-skin care for infants?

• Warmth
• Stabilizing heartbeat and breathing
• More time spent in the deep sleep and quiet alert states
• Less crying
• Increased weight gain

Even just a few minutes of kangaroo care each day can make a huge difference. Babies are naturally tuned to recognize warmth, scent, and heartbeat, and skin-to-skin helps them feel safe and calm during those first moments in this world.

The Unique Importance of Skin-to-Skin in Surrogacy

In a surrogacy journey, the baby has spent months growing in utero with the gestational carrier. After birth, skin-to-skin time with the child’s parent(s) is so important. This time allows the baby to hear their heartbeats, recognize their voices and scents, and builds an emotional connection that can ease anxieties. This helps create a smooth, reassuring transition and supports early connection with the parent(s).

Skin-to-skin is a powerful reminder that bonding is built through presence, care, and connection, not through the pregnancy alone.

Skin-to-Skin Is for All Parents

Skin-to-skin is not limited by gender or biology. Intended mothers, fathers, partners and even siblings can all benefit from this bonding experience.

Many hospitals actively encourage:

• Immediate skin-to-skin with one or both parents
• Alternating skin-to-skin time between parents
• Continued skin-to-skin after you return home

Skin-to-skin contact is a simple act with a profound impact! This time together supports your baby’s health, strengthens emotional bonding, and helps set the foundation for your family’s journey together!