Skin-to-skin contact with breastfeeding increases oxytocin and prolactin levels, possibly increasing the number of prolactin receptors which can influence breastfeeding success for months (and years) to come. Increases in oxytocin promotes vasodilation in the mother's chest, warming the newborn, and decreases the risk for postpartum hemorrhage. Oxytocin in the maternal brain activates mothering behaviors. Fetal oxytocin elevations may promote a calm and alert state, which helps breastfeeding. Skin-to-skin contact reduces fetal catecholamines to stabilize the baby's heart rate and breathing and to reduce energy (food) requirements until breastmilk comes in. For the laboring woman who has medical
interventions during labor that disrupt hormonal physiology, immediate, uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact is an invaluable way to restore the flow of birth hormones.