PREMATURE BABIES
Skin to skin: benefits for fathers too!
The benefits of skin-to-skin are well known, but there is very little data on the benefits of this privileged contact between fathers and their newborns. For this reason, Australian researchers interviewed ten fathers who had skin-to-skin contact with their premature babies in intensive care.
The fathers studied reported that skin-to-skin fostered an immediate connection and attachment with their baby. These intimate moments with their child reduced the stress associated with their baby’s hospitalization, gave them joy and increased their confidence as a father. They also said they felt more involved in the postpartum period.
In addition, the dads interviewed noticed that the skin-to-skin contact calmed their babies. This practice also helped him sleep better.
Previous studies have shown in particular that skin-to-skin activates the production of certain hormones that reduce pain and stress. In premature infants, skin-to-skin therapy also reduces the rate of death and infections in the first weeks of life, in addition to facilitating breastfeeding.
Source: Medical Xpress
SECURITY
Childhood sores: the way you react is important
The way you react and manage the little injuries of everyday life is important, because it would influence how your child will perceive and react to pain himself as he grows up.
To find ways to help children aged 2 to 7 cope with pain during everyday minor ailments, a research team interviewed 18 international experts in child health, psychology, development and resilience , as well as parents and educators.
Here are their tips:
- Acknowledge your child’s pain and emotions, but don’t dramatize it. Make sure he feels listened to and safe.
- Reassure your child. Tell him that his body is capable of healing his sore, and that the pain will disappear.
- Encourage him to express his emotions and show empathy. Also control your own emotions and reactions, because your worry could scare your child.
- Discuss first aid together and encourage him to take care of his injury (eg: get a dressing or a wet washcloth, gently rub the painful area). Then encourage him to return to play.
- Explain to your child that pain is the body’s alarm system because it warns him of danger. Point out that his pain may vary depending on how he feels. For example, it may seem more important if he is hungry or tired.
Source: The Conversation
LEARNING
Practicing writing doesn’t have to be boring!
Knowing how to write well is of course learned at school, but not only. There are many ways to improve your child’s writing skills at home, without it feeling like homework.
Education experts cite the following simple and fun writing activities as examples:
- Give your child a good reason to write, for example: a card for Grandma, a note so that she does not forget something, a word to hide in a family member’s lunch box, the list of groceries, etc.
- Have fun as a family with activities that involve writing. For example, you can invent jokes, stories or riddles, and write them down together so that you don’t forget them.
- Post on the fridge or a chalkboard as much as what your child has written, your grocery list or your chores. This shows him the importance of writing in everyday life.
- Ask your child to read to you what he wrote. In addition to showing him your interest in what he’s doing, it gives him the opportunity to notice some of his mistakes.
- Acknowledge their progress and effort in writing, saying something like, “I noticed you remembered to capitalize the beginning of your sentences and put a period at the end. Cheer! »
Source: The Conversation
Read also :
September 15, 2022
By the team of Born and grow
Photos: GettyImages/manonallard, Nuttanin Knyw and Igor Alecsander