Physical contact between parent and child is important
SUPAWADEE INTHAWONG
During the first few months of a baby's life, every parent suffers moments of self-doubt, on whether they are doing the right thing or not.
In this day and age when families usually comprise of a mother and father, many a times a nanny, and little or no guidance from elders, this doubt is further compounded. First-time parents have no clue on the best ways to look after their delicate newborn.
"Newborns need special support while being held, because they lack the muscle strength and motor control to hold their heads until they're two to three months old," says Dr Chadamas Juljerm, a neonatologist at St Louis Hospital.
The key to holding your newborn is a "gentle touch", as physical contact between parent and child is important for development, she says.
Always approach your baby with confidence in your ability to hold the child and provide the child with the comfort and safety it needs. If you find yourself afraid of holding your baby or lack the confidence to do so, neither of you will enjoy being close, as babies are sensitive to touch.
What is shaken baby syndrome (SBS)?
The main reason of SBS is when a baby is forcefully shaken in an attempt to stop it from crying. Injury can also occur when the care-giver is too rough while playing with the baby. This action can bruise the brain causing severe blindness, brain damage, or in some cases death.
How to cope with a crying baby?
Dr Chadamas says that one way of coping with a baby's crying is to hold it and walk around the room. Never shake the baby, as such an action will not help in stopping the baby from crying and may aggravate the situation. If you shake the baby, it may result in shaken baby syndrome.
Use only smooth, gentle and gliding motions when picking the infant up or putting her down. Avoid any sudden, rough, or jerky movements.
A baby hammock can be used, but do not forget to sway your baby in gentle movement.
All infants have periods of fussiness during their first few months, perhaps because they have an immature neurological system. And some babies are more sensitive to various noises, smells, and certain sensations.
Dr Chadamas Juljerm. |
One of the greatest parenting skills is "being patient".
Above all, love and affection is the most important thing for your newborn. Babies need as much physical attention as possible in their first year.
Recreate the environment of your baby's first home
Newborns could also be "fussy" if they miss their "home" (womb), and therefore, creating of an environment that is similar to the womb would help calm them.
Some techniques:
- Swaddle your baby in a blanket with her arms down. This duplicates the feelings of warmth and protection, and the "tight fit", in the womb.
- Hold her while she is on her side or stomach rather than her back. This will decrease the baby's sense of falling and keep her calm.
- Stimulate the whooshing noise, which is caused in the womb due to blood flowing through the mother's arteries by running a hair dryer or fan.
- Gentle rhythmic swaying also resembles the movement of the womb.
There are many different ways to hold a baby, for both comfort and security. With careful practice you can become an expert handler of your newborn.
The Cradle Hold: One of the most natural and simple ways to hold a newborn baby. Put the baby on her back with her head against your elbow, providing support for his back with your free arm. This is a good position for talking to the baby or looking at it.
The Shoulder Hold: Rest the baby against your shoulder, with your hand on her neck and head for support. Put your other arm against her back. This position will allow her to hear your heart beat and breathing. Babies also sleep well in this position.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (Sids)
There are so many things to worry about as a new parent, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or "crib death" is one of them.
Many studies have found that babies who are put to sleep on their stomachs tend to suffer from Sids, and many baby experts recommend putting a newborn on their back.
However, Thais still put their babies to sleep on their tummy or on their side. Dr Chadamas recommends parents who do this should monitor their newborns often and never leave them alone.
Make sure there is no soft bedding underneath the baby. Use a mattress that fits the crib tightly. If you can fit more than two fingers between the edge of the mattress and the side of the crib, the mattress is too small.
An infant can suffocate if its head or body becomes wedged between the mattress and the crib sides.Never use a crib that has loose or missing slats. Be sure that all slats are securely fastened and the space between slats is no more than 6cm to avoid head entrapment/strangulation.
Bedding should not be too soft: It shouldn't rise up around or cuddle around the child. Soft mattresses seem like a good choice from an adult perspective, but babies need a more solid sleep surface since they can't lift their heads out of soft mattresses if they get turned over.
When your child reaches the age of two, she or he should sleep in a bed.
Prev
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Next
