Neurodevelopment · Skin to Skin ·Oct 29, 2018

Preemie Skin-to-Skin: Ages and Stages

How Physical Connection, Neurodevelopment, and Skincare Work Together to Build Stronger Babies

Today, most hospitals encourage immediate skin-to-skin care—often called Kangaroo Care—for preemies born after 32 weeks, as long as they’re medically stable. In fact, skin-to-skin contact is increasingly supported even earlier, with guidance from NICU nurses and care teams who understand just how vital touch is to a baby’s development.

At BEB Organic, we’ve always been ambassadors of touch. Our skincare line was born in the NICU—created in partnership with medical professionals who knew firsthand how skin-to-skin contact promotes growth, bonding, and healing. Touch is more than comforting—it’s critical. And our products are designed to support those delicate, essential moments of connection.

Let’s explore the power of touch from birth through early childhood and how it relates to your baby’s developing brain, immune system, and emotional well-being.

What is Skin-to-Skin—or Kangaroo Care?

Skin-to-skin contact (STS) means holding your baby against your bare chest, torso-to-torso. It’s a deceptively simple act with deeply complex benefits. For preemies especially, this kind of contact can help regulate:

Body temperature
Heart rate and breathing
Stress levels and cortisol response
Blood sugar levels
Immune function
Sleep quality

In the first hour after birth—often called “the magical hour”—STS contact helps establish your baby’s sense of safety. It also supports colonization of the microbiome with maternal bacteria, a foundational step in building healthy immunity. This moment of connection sets the stage for everything that comes next: feeding, bonding, healing, and neurological development.

And yes—even if you had a C-section or your baby needs breathing support—STS is still possible. NICU nurses are skilled at helping make it happen safely.

The Link Between Touch and Neurodevelopment

Touch is the first sense to develop in the womb, and it plays a critical role in shaping the brain’s earliest pathways. Repeated, nurturing touch triggers the release of oxytocin—a hormone that helps babies (and parents) feel safe, connected, and calm.

But the benefits go deeper.

Scientific research has shown that regular skin-to-skin contact activates areas of the brain responsible for emotional regulation, stress response, and even social connection. It helps shape the limbic system, which governs memory and emotion. It supports the integration of sensory input, preparing babies to better interpret and react to the world around them.

In preemies, who miss out on the last weeks of in-utero development, this kind of support is even more vital.

Neurodevelopmental pathways are being laid every day in early life. Skin-to-skin time, massage, and daily skincare routines don’t just nourish the body—they actively shape the brain. That’s why we design every BEB Organic product to make touch safer, easier, and more meaningful—for you and your baby.

Infancy: Cuddles, Carriers, and Care Rituals

As your baby grows into a more alert and interactive infant, touch remains a cornerstone of healthy development. You may spend less time in the NICU and more time at home—but the value of closeness doesn’t fade.

Wearing your baby in a sling or carrier keeps them close to your heartbeat and breath—two things they’ve known since before birth. It also helps you respond quickly to cues, promoting secure attachment and reducing stress for both of you.

Bath time, diaper changes, and skincare rituals become opportunities for connection. Using a clean, calming product like our Bubbly Wash during a warm bath encourages bonding while protecting your baby’s delicate skin barrier.

After cleansing, nourishing your baby’s skin with our Silky Cream or Nurturing Oil adds both hydration and moments of gentle, loving touch. And when skin issues arise—like dryness, cradle cap, or minor rashes—our Soothing Serum and Diaper Balm provide targeted support, creating both physical relief and emotional comfort.

Toddlerhood: Independent Spirits, Grounding Touch

As your little one starts to walk, explore, and assert independence, the way you connect may shift—but the need for physical touch remains.

Daily routines like drying off after bath time, rubbing lotion into arms and legs, or sharing a cuddle before bed are more than sweet moments. They help toddlers feel anchored. That’s especially important during times of big change or stimulation, when their brains are working overtime to process the world.

At this stage, many parents start creating simple personal care routines with their child—washing hands, putting on cream, learning about their body. These small rituals support autonomy while reinforcing that care and connection go hand-in-hand.

Even outside of routines, playful touch—like hand games, back rubs, or thumb wrestling—stimulates the same neurological benefits as skin-to-skin contact in infancy. Touch helps your child regulate emotions, build self-awareness, and feel deeply loved.

Preemies and the Microbiome: Why Skincare Still Matters

One often-overlooked aspect of early touch is the transfer of beneficial bacteria from parent to baby. This helps populate your baby’s skin and gut microbiome, which plays a vital role in immune development.

In NICUs, where babies are often surrounded by unfamiliar surfaces and microbes, this kind of colonization is especially important. Kangaroo Care introduces your microbiome to your baby’s skin in a natural, nurturing way.

Using non-toxic, microbiome-safe skincare during this time helps protect that balance. BEB Organic products are always free from harsh preservatives, essential oils, and allergens. Our ingredients are carefully chosen for their safety, functionality, and ability to support skin’s natural defenses.

And because our products are scent-free or naturally aromatic, they also help babies recognize and bond with your unique scent signature—building trust, comfort, and emotional resilience.

Supporting Skin and Spirit with Every Touch

At BEB Organic, we’re not just here to sell skincare—we’re here to support the lifelong impact of loving, intentional touch. From NICU days to toddler milestones, we create products that protect and nourish your child’s skin while helping you connect more deeply.

Every bottle we make is:

Clinically proven safe and effective
Designed in partnership with NICU nurses, dermatologists, and pediatricians
Developed to support neurodevelopment, microbiome balance, and emotional connection
Vegan, cruelty-free, and made in a solar-powered facility

When you touch your baby with BEB Organic, you’re not just moisturizing—you’re supporting brain development, strengthening bonds, and honoring the powerful intelligence of the human body.

Your Touch Matters. And So Does What You Use.

Whether it’s the first hour after birth or a nightly bedtime routine, every loving touch you share with your child has the power to shape their world.

Let us help you make the most of it.

Explore our full line of neurodevelopmental skincare, trusted in over 300 hospitals.

Sources

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Schore AN. Effects of a secure attachment relationship on right brain development, affect regulation, and infant mental health. Infant Mental Health Journal 2001;22(1-2):7-66.
Mori R, Khanna R, Pledge D, Nakayama T. Meta-analysis of physiological effects of skin-to-skin contact for newborns and mothers. Pediatrics International 2010; 52(2): 161-170
2008 July; 115(8): 1037–1042. The natural caesarean: a woman-centred techniqueJ Smith,a F Plaat,b and NM Fiska,
The Connected Child, by Karyn B. Purvis, Ph.D., David R. Cross, Ph.D., and Wendy Lyons Sunshine
State of the Newborn, The March of Dimes https://www.marchofdimes.org/nursing/modnemedia/othermedia/states.pdf