07/29/2026
Skin-to-skin care isn't just for babies, it supports mom too.
A new 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis found that kangaroo mother care (prolonged skin-to-skin contact, often paired with breastfeeding) was associated with a significant reduction in postpartum depressive symptoms.
While skin-to-skin isn't a replacement for mental health care when it's needed, it's a simple, low-cost, evidence-based practice that may benefit both parent and baby.
The greatest effects were seen among parents of preterm infants, but the overall findings reinforce what we've long known: nurturing the parent-infant connection matters.
Skin-to-skin contact isn't only for releasing the placenta or the first couple days. This contact is beneficial long term.
📖 Read the study: Impact of kangaroo mother care on maternal postpartum depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials (Pediatric Research, 2026).
URL below.