Which practice is most commonly recommended to support early attachment by promoting close contact?

Which practice is most commonly recommended to support early attachment by promoting close contact?

• A. Isolating baby in a separate room
• B. Skin-to-skin contact
• C. Prolonged separation
• D. Delaying feeding

Answer: (B)

Close physical contact between parent and baby in the early hours is a powerful driver of early attachment. Skin-to-skin contact, where the baby rests naked on the parent’s bare chest, directly increases warmth, soothing touch, and eye-to-eye interaction, all of which foster a strong emotional bond. This closeness also triggers the release of bonding hormones like oxytocin in both the parent and baby, helping them feel calm and connected. It supports essential physiological regulation—stable heart rate, breathing, and temperature—and creates a favorable environment for initiating and sustaining breastfeeding, which further strengthens attachment. In contrast, practices that separate the baby or delay feeding interrupt this immediate, intimate contact and can hinder the bonding process.