Those first 60 minutes after your baby arrives are genuinely special—and research shows they're worth protecting. Holding your naked baby directly on your bare chest right away helps their temperature, heart rate, and breathing regulate naturally, without any equipment. It also jumpstarts breastfeeding and strengthens your bond from the very beginning. Studies indicate this early skin-to-skin contact makes exclusive breastfeeding more likely at 3 and 6 months. If you're having a c-section, it's still possible—many hospitals now support skin-to-skin even in the operating room. Ask your birth team beforehand to keep routine checks and baths brief so you and your baby can have this uninterrupted time together. It's one of the simplest, most powerful things you can do.