Heart to heart and skin to skin with their parents. There is nothing better for the health of newborns, even those born prematurely (of course when possible). A review of studies on the subject has in fact demonstrated the decidedly positive impact on children of this sweet practice regardless of whether the mother or father warms and comforts the little one.
Don't store avocado like this: it's dangerous
Heart to heart e skin to skin with their parents. There is nothing better for the health of babies, even those premature births (obviously when possible). A review of studies on the subject has in fact demonstrated the decidedly positive impact on children of this sweet practice regardless of whether the mother or father warms and comforts the little one.
The analysis, conducted by Dr. Shefaly Shorey at the National University of Singapore, examined 12 previous studies: one carried out in India, another in Colombia and the remaining 10 in various so-called “developed” countries.
The results highlighted the important hormonal and neurobiological changes that occur in both children and their dads and which bring clear benefits to both. Let's see what they are:
Skin to skin, benefits for newborns
The fundamental novelty that emerges from this study is that skin-to-skin contact with the father is as effective as that with the mother both in increasing the temperature of the children and in improving the biophysical measures of the child's energy expenditure.
Among other things, the children who had experienced contact with the father had significantly higher blood glucose levels (which helps protect them from the cold) than the children who were in the incubator. They also showed lower levels of salivary cortisol, indicating a lower stress response.
Another advantage of skin to skin, even with fathers, is that the little ones stopped before crying and it was therefore easier to comfort them simply by squeezing them to the chest.
However, some differences were also noted if the mother has the most contact with the newborn. In this case, breastfeeding was favored and could start earlier than what happened with children who "practiced" skin to skin only with their father. The pain response of the babies would also be slightly lower if their mother is holding them to the chest.
Some benefits can also be highlighted on dads.
Photo: www.kangaroomothercare
Skin to skin, benefits for dads
Fathers who have lent themselves to skin-to-skin contact with their preterm babies have developed a more sensitive approach and care towards their little ones and have shown themselves to be more cooperative and involved even at home, knowing how to better manage unexpected situations.
Paternal oxytocin levels were then significantly increased while cortisol levels decreased during and after contact with their children. It is no coincidence that Oxytocin is defined as the love hormone while cortisol is linked to anxiety (it is known as the stress hormone). Fathers who have lent themselves to this type of approach with their children have felt less stressed, less anxious and have had a better relationship even with their woman who has become a mother.
Skin-to-skin within minutes of birth also promotes verbal interaction between baby and parent.
If you are interested in finding out other ways to help premature babies read also:
- BABYBE: THE PREMATURE PILLOW THAT REPRODUCES THE BEAT AND BREATH OF THE MOTHER (VIDEO)
- HOW A GLOVE CAN SAVE THE LIVES OF MANY PREMATURE CHILDREN
- OCTOPUS-THERAPY, OCTOPUS-THERAPY TO TREAT PREMATURE CHILDREN
Given the results, the authors of the review could only conclude by encouraging fathers to experiment with skin-to-skin contact with their children, a valid alternative to that with the mother, especially when the latter is unable to due to particular circumstances, medical problems. , Caesarean section or other.
