 |
|
 |
|
|
There are many things that you can do to help your baby progress in his or her development.
Skin-to-Skin Benefits Premature Babies
|
Premature babies - those born before 37 weeks' gestation - may have to overcome numerous health problems and are at higher risk for developmental and cognitive delays. The emotional and physical strain of parenting a preemie can drain mothers and fathers, too. Now researchers from Israel say that providing preemies with lots of skin-to-skin contact may help both babies and their parents.
The parents of 73 premature infants agreed to provide their child with kangaroo care, or sustained skin-to-skin contact, after birth beginning at 31 to 34 weeks' gestational age (gestational age is measured by the number of weeks after conception - for example, a child born at 25 weeks' gestational age would reach 31 weeks' gestational age 6 weeks after birth). Each mother undressed her infant and took her out of the incubator for at least 1 hour daily for 14 consecutive days. During that hour, the mother placed the undressed infant between her breasts so she had skin-to-skin contact with her baby. In some cases, the baby's father also provided kangaroo care. Before the infants left the hospital, and at 3 and 6 months, the families were observed and videotaped while caring for and interacting with their infants, and parents filled out questionnaires about their coping skills and satisfaction about parenting. At the 6-month visit, the infants underwent developmental tests. Throughout the study, the infants were compared to 73 premature infants who received traditional, but not kangaroo, care.
After kangaroo care, mothers looked at their infants more frequently, touched their infants more often, and were more responsive to their infant's signals. They were also less likely to be depressed and more likely to believe their infants were normal. In addition, babies who had received kangaroo care were more alert and looked at their mothers' faces more often and for longer periods. By the 3-month visit, the parents of infants who had received kangaroo care were more sensitive to their child's needs and provided a better home environment. In addition, the 6-month-old infants who had received kangaroo care had higher scores on cognitive development tests than infants who received traditional care.
What This Means to You: This study provides additional support to the idea that close body contact between premature infants and their parents is beneficial. One of the best ways to ensure regular skin-to-skin contact with your infant is to breastfeed. To optimize skin-to-skin contact, undress your infant down to her diaper and hold her against your bare skin during feedings. Mothers who choose not to breastfeed or fathers can reap the benefits of skin-to-skin contact by undressing the infant in a warm room and holding her against the bare chest for a period of time each day.
Source: Ruth Feldman, PhD, Arthur I. Eidelman, M.D., Lea Sirota, MD, Aron Weller, PhD, Pediatrics, July 2002
Reviewed by: Steve Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: July 2002
|
|
|
|
|
Infant Massage
In a study, conducted by the Touch Research Institute of the University of Miami School of Medicine, massaged babies gained 47 percent more weight than unmassaged babies given the same number of calories. Premature Infants who are regularly massaged are hospitalized an average of six fewer days than non-massaged babies. This is why massage is now used in many special care nurseries. If your child is hospitalized, work with your care team to find the right level of massage. Tiny babies can be easily overwhelmed by stimulation.
The Benefits of Infant Massage
Stimulation
� Skin sensitivity is the earliest developed function
� Gentle handling improves stability of the nervous system and resistance to disease
� Infants who are massaged regularly are more alert and sociable when awake
� Infants tend to do more 'vocalizing' or 'baby chatting'
� Infants tend to be more relaxed and open with healthy touch (hugging, cuddling, holding hands)
Relaxation
� Babies sleep better and soothe more easily
� It enables them to release pent up tension and anxiety
� Massage helps babies practice handling input and responding with relaxation
� It enhances their positive feelings about their bodies, helping them grow up with a healthy body image
� It teaches them relaxation techniques they will carry through their life
Relief
� Massage helps with relief of colic and digestive problems
� It helps tone the digestive tract, thereby moving gas and fecal material for easier expulsion
� It may help relieve discomforts of teething, congestion and emotional stress
Interaction
� Massage enhances the bonding process
� Infant and caregiver 'feel' closer as they share this communication of love
� Eye contact is enhanced during this 'quiet' time of the day
� Intuitive interaction is enhanced since the massage is done mostly in silence without a lot of extra 'chatter'
� It is a dance that builds trust and intimacy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
