Benefits of skin contact for the baby

  • 2015

The first moments of life of the baby are a great adventure for our little ones. Although we can never really know what it feels like in those moments, we can get an idea of ​​it. At birth, babies have a long way to go in their development, however they can already realize in a still premature way what is happening around them.

The moment of birth should involve trauma, generating stress in babies. They pass from a known and safe environment, to a completely unknown and somewhat hostile environment for them. The passage from one medium to another, occurs during childbirth, this transition should not be pleasant for babies. The next big step, produced just when going outside is breathing. Babies have to learn to breathe on their own in those first moments. In the new medium, on the outside everything is new and different, the sounds, the light, the movement, etc.

All this is a situation that generates stress in our babies.

Skin contact

In these first moments, we can assume that the baby feels stress and helplessness, that is why the immediate contact with the mother's skin generates a feeling of comfort and provides security and protection. The sensation of contact with the mother's skin allows her to recognize smells, voices, familiar sounds, the sensation reminds her of the sensations experienced during pregnancy.

There are different studies that have shown the benefits of that first contact, both immediately and subsequently. The importance of not separating the mother from the baby in those first moments provides a comforting sensation, relieves stress from birth and dilutes tensions, providing important benefits for the baby in these first moments and in his subsequent emotional and emotional development.

Benefits of skin contact for the baby

Immediate benefits

In the first moments there are benefits that we can easily see.

This first contact causes the baby to look for the breast and try to suck for food. Thanks to that first moment of contact the baby prepares to breastfeed. Therefore it will take less time to start feeding effectively.

The union between mother and baby has been very intimate. Instant contact means no separation.

Contact helps regulate and maintain the baby's body temperature in this new medium.

The stress and crying of the baby are reduced appreciably.

It favors the bond with the mother .

Subsequent benefits of this first contact

Emotional and emotional development are favored. The bond created with the mother is strengthened.

By decreasing their stress levels, the baby learns to tolerate and cope with frustrations. It is premature learning.

The adaptation to life outside the mother's womb is done in a calmer, less frustrating way, the baby's cries tend to be reduced and calm down more easily.

Learn to feel loved.

AUTHOR: Celia Rodríguez Ruiz. Psychologist and Pedagogue. @Celia_RodrigRu

SEEN AT: http://www.educayaprende.com/beneficios-del-contacto-de-la-piel-para-el-bebe/

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