Supporting vulnerable women in mothering through skin-to-skin contact, proximity and breastfeeding: Part 2 actions

The costs to women, children and society as a whole are considerable when mothers are unable to provide their children with good-enough care. These costs include the mental and physical health and wellbeing of women and children as well as the social and economic costs associated with individuals using substances, engaging in crime, and managing the child protection system. As detailed in Part 1 of this series, mothers who experience skin-to-skin contact with their newborn, who remain proximate to their infant and who breastfeed develop stronger attachments to their infants and are more able to provide their children with good or good-enough care. As detailed here, organisations and individuals working within the health, child protection and justice systems, in women and family support organisations, in the education system, in universities and professional bodies, emergency relief workers and responders and members of the public all have a role to play in supporting these practices. Such support can help to reduce the transmission of intergenerational parenting incapacity and transform the lives of women and children to their benefit and the benefit of society.