Contact with leather skin is good for your child and you-and not only straight after birth

In the 1950s, an American psychologist Harry Harlow provided raw demonstration the meaning of the mother’s touch. He is famed – and controversial – They showed that RHESUS monkeys would prefer to adhere to a replacement “mother” made of cushioned material than one of the metal wire that provided milk. Harlow summed up that the loving touch seemed more significant than food.

Today, the importance of touch has been firmly embedded in the care of infants. For example, Unicef and NHS Recommend contact with the skin between the parent and the newborn. This includes placing a newborn baby on a parent’s naked chest, both covered with a balmy blanket, for at least an hour after birth or for first feeding.

In fact, the feeling of strength of touch begins long before the birth of the child. Touch is the first sense to develop. Just eight weeks After conception, the fetus already reacts to the feeling of touch in the uterus – and is crucial for people of all ages.

By 14 weeksThe twins were observed after sucking in ultrasound and discovering each other. And analysis of ultrasound frames on a cage show that by 20 weeksThe fetuses react to mothers touching their bellies.

The benefits of parental touch become clear at birth. One review Of the 52 studies with the participation of over 4,000 newborns, it was found that tactile interventions-like skin contact and a child’s massage-were associated with a better neonatal condition, including better adjustment of temperature, breathing and heart rate. The review also showed that touch was more favorable when it comes to parent compared to medical staff.

Hug because there are other advantages of contact with the skin to the skin. When the parent holds the child in contact with the skin after birth, he helps to tranquil the newborn baby and stimulates interest in feeding. In the long run, daily contact with baby skin improves Sleep patterns and pain tolerance supports a fit weight gain and further breastfeeding and strengthen brain development.

These benefits also occur by premature babies. For example, one review Kangaroo care-skin for skin for premature or low baby birth-he said that he had reduced the risk of death, infection and low body temperature, as well as improving body weight gain and breastfeeding indicator.

In both fit and premature babies, contact with leather skin oxytocin -Yes called “Love hormone” – who encourages the bond between the parent and the infant. Contact with leather skin also reduces hormone levels cortisolwhich helps newborns in regulating stress levels.

In fact, the benefits of skin contact are not experienced only by a newborn baby. Studies have shown that daily skin contact with your children can reduce the symptoms of postpartum stress, depression and anxiety mother. And although most studies have focused on mothers, skin contact to the skin also seems to reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety Fathers.

While most of these studies concentrated miniature -term touch results, scientists over time follow infants to see what the early touch of long -term results has. For example, one examination It was found that premature children who received at least an hour of kangaroo care for two weeks had better interactions of mother-child, sleep and brain development when they were ten years elderly.

Another group of researchers followed babies and their mothers for a nine years. When they were only monthlyInfants, which experienced contact with their skin from their skin, already showed better emotional regulation and attachment than infants that did not have contact with the skin.

Nine years Later, these children were also more willing and could get involved in emotional conversations with mothers.

Some touch effects are more complex to estimate. For example, in the 70s, psychiatrist Donald Winnicott described As the mother’s touch helps infants and youthful children experience the body as “the place where they live safely.” This idea seems to be supported by ethnographic and anthropological records of communities in which infants are in close contact with the guardian.

For example, in many communities-like NetSilil,! Kung and the Balijski-Niemowląte are pressed with their mothers for most of the day. This means that babies more often meet their needs – comforting when they cry or feed when they are suck – while helping them develop sensitivity touch. These forms “Skinship“It also helps parents and their infants in developing deeper ties through touch.

While these studies show the benefits of touch in infancy, what about childhood? Studies youthful children and adolescents have shown that touch – a particularly caring touch, such as hugging parents or other carers such as teachers – It can support psychological development and well -being. For example, touch can aid children develop a sense of emotional security, belonging and a sense of support, especially in stressful situations.

Has Marjorie Goodwin described How “haptic rituals” – such as hugs between the parent and their child during the day – can aid the child feel love and looked after.

Regular experience of a caring touch can also aid children develop their social interaction Skills, including empathy towards others. A caring touch is also reduced aggressive behavior during puberty.

Unfortunately, even today, many parents keep elderly -fashioned ideas – popularized by psychologists John Watson – That they should avoid concern with children, for fear that hugging or hugging will cause destitute will. Scientific evidence does not confirm such ideas, so hug your children.