Key Takeaways

Skin-to-skin contact might boost brain development in preemiesPreemies with more skin-to-skin contact had stronger development in brain regions linked to emotion and stress regulationThe contact might aid bonding as well as encouraging new connections within the brain

THURSDAY, Sept. 25, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Skin-to-skin contact might help kick-start brain development in preterm babies, a new study says.

Preemies born before 32 weeks showed stronger development in brain regions tied to emotion and stress regulation if they received more skin-to-skin contact, researchers reported Sept. 24 in the journal Neurology .

“Skin-to-skin contact in preterm infants has been shown to have many benefits, with previous studies linking it to improved bonding, sleep, heart and lung

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