Bonsie and The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital

Anna Turcotte, the founder of Bonsie, gave birth to both of her children at The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital in Portland, Maine. Every month Bonsie donates 50+ Bonsie footies to this awesome hospital. The education and promotion of skin-to-skin contact is at the heart of our mission at Bonsie, so one of Anna’s goals is to donate a Bonsie outfit to every baby born at this hospital.

Bonsie and the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital

The new mothers who received a Bonsie Skin to Skin Babywear outfit understand what the Bonsie Hype is all about.

Whitney Foley, a BBCH patient who received a Bonsie Footie, said

"Bonsie babywear made the postpartum experience more cozy and convenient! Middle of the night diaper changes were quick and easy without the snaps and zippers and it was so helpful with our skin-to-skin bonding!”

“The functionality of Bonsie is equally as amazing as the style and material. Our set was so cute and so soft on our baby’s skin! We truly loved it and thank you!”

Baby in Bonsie Stars Baby Bag Set

Skin-to-skin contact is great for everyone, including breastfeeding mothers because it initiates breastfeeding, which in turn increases milk supply. Close, frequent contact with your baby signals your body that it’s time to make more milk to feed your little one. Moms who practice immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth have greater success breastfeeding and moms who continue to practice skin-to-skin contact beyond the hospital are more likely to breastfeed for a longer period of time (Breastmilk. Every Ounce Counts, 2021).

Maine Medical Center Lactation Consultants encourage skin-to-skin contact because, in addition to aiding in breastfeeding success, it helps newborn babies thrive in their new environment.

"Skin-to-skin demonstrates best practice, promoting optimal outcomes for a newborn's transition to the outside world in so many ways!"

"Skin-to-skin promotes optimal evidence based practice with numerous health benefits. Skin-to-skin enhances a newborn's ability in so many areas, including, but not limited to:

• Better temperature regulation
• Better suck/swallow development
• Better glucose stabilization
• Better vital signs
• Better bonding
• Better promotion of innate reflexes
• Better breastfeeding!

Skin-to-skin contact also connects parents and babies naturally and instinctively. Partners can get skin-to-skin too! And even though they can't give breastmilk, they can give skin immunity."

“Skin immunity” refers to the antibodies that are transferred from parents or caregivers to their babies while practicing skin-to-skin contact, which boost babies’ immune system.

Here’s what Pam Tozier, Labor & Delivery RN, Lactation Consultant and Childbirth Educator at Maine Medical Center had to say about Bonsie Skin to Skin Babywear:

"It's great to see a baby clothing brand so hyper-focused on the practice of skin-to-skin contact. Bonsie brings skin-to-skin education beyond the hospital setting, which is where we need it the most!"

Sources:

Breastmilk. Every Ounce Counts. Breastmilk Counts. (2021). https://www.breastmilkcounts.com/breastfeeding-101/skin-to-skin/