| Mothers who
gave their newborns a lot of skin-to skin contact might have made
their newborn’s transition from the womb to the world a much
less traumatic one. A study showed that this type of care, called
"kangaroo care," might lead to long-term health benefits
for the baby. Other studies have revealed that kangaroo care could
provide other benefits such as improving physical, mental and emotional
well-being among newborns, however the effects on full-term infants
have yet to be determined.
In the study it was discovered that the infants who experienced
an hour of skin-to-skin contact with their mothers right after they
were born were more likely to sleep more soundly and peacefully
through the night. The infants were found to display less stressful
body movements after spending several hours in the nursery.
Researchers claimed the most dangerous and stressful events that
occur during the human life cycle take place from the womb to the
real world, therefore mothers who made a point of giving their infants
skin-to-skin contact would help their newborn adjust to their new
unfamiliar surroundings.
This study assigned 47 healthy mother-infant
pairs to two groups:
-
In both groups, the infant laid on the mother’s chest
for about five to 10 minutes, while the umbilical cord was cut.
-
The kangaroo group was taken back to their mothers, where the
mothers initiated skin-to-skin contact with their newborns 15
to 20 minutes after birth.
- The control group was taken to the nursery.
Conclusions based on the study include:
-
The infants who were given kangaroo care slept longer, more
peacefully and slept in positions that indicated less stress.
-
After the contact ended, the effects of the skin-to-skin contact
seemed to continue four hours later.
-
Doctors and nursing staff should be informed of how important
the benefits of kangaroo care were to a newborn right after
birth.
-
Experts have recommended further exploration into the use
of kangaroo care and its potential positive health benefits
to newborn’s temperament and attention-related skills early
on in life.
Pediatrics
April 2004;113(4):858-65
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