New research from Huntington Hospital in Huntington, New York, points to the benefits of skin-to-skin contact between babies and their mothers after a cesarean birth. When women underwent scheduled cesareans for the second time and were given time to bond with their babies immediately following the birth, they reported a more positive overall experience compared to their previous scheduled cesarean, when they were separated from their babies right away.

“Moms said they felt less anxious and in some cases had more success with breastfeeding because the babies started rooting for the breast more quickly,” says Judith Moran-Peters, R.N., D.N.Sc., the study’s principal investigator.

Her advice: Have a conversation with your doctor or midwife about skin-to-skin contact ahead of time so you can enjoy this experience no matter what type of delivery you have.