We know from the outset that touch, cuddling, demonstrations of physical affection can only be benefactors for anyone. But this would prove to be even more virtuous for babies who, for their part, would have infinitely more need, and especially premature newborns to develop their cognitive functioning.
Study highlights the positive nature of cuddling babies
Unusually, the sight of a baby can only soften anyone and make him want to cuddle and give him a lot of gestures of love! And obviously, all these demonstrations of affection can only do him good, and especially for the development of his cognitive system and especially if it was born premature to the extent that babies born prematurely, would be much less receptive than babies born at term.
A study conducted by Nationwide Children's Hospital and relayed by Current Biology, on the analysis and study of 125 premature and full-term infants, was conducted to examine and understand how babies responded to touch and contact. sensory. She found that premature babies were less likely to respond to touch than those born at term. Premature newborns exposed to painful medical procedures were also less likely to respond to touch, and babies who returned to their homes after being treated in an intensive care unit reported a decrease in cortical touch treatment compared to their term counterparts. Not to mention that an abnormal or inappropriate tactile "treatment" and neurological thresholds are associated with worse cognitive, motor and language results in the premature newborn, hence the importance of overcoming it through contacts in order to erect the sensory constitutive elements of cognition, behavior and communication.
Programs to address the lack of affection of babies
Many hospitals are moving in this direction and are introducing procedural changes or programs such as "kangaroo care" for premature infants and full-term infants, or those with neonatal withdrawal syndrome with treatment programs. volunteering to cuddle them and reduce the symptoms associated with this syndrome. The aim is, on the one hand, to relieve hospital staff, and, on the other hand, to create the bonds of affection that newborns need physiologically, psychologically and physically.
Kangaroo care for premature babies and term babies
Another long-term study on the effects of skin-to-skin contact on premature infants demonstrates the many benefits of this rather practical technique of positioning a premature newborn baby as close to the body as long as possible. of his mom or dad.
The results of the study clearly demonstrated the virtuous effects of "kangaroo care" on premature babies who had a higher IQ, less aggressive motivation, and were less impulsive and hyperactive by exhibiting less antisocial behavior. . On the other hand, in the case of mothers of premature infants from a disadvantaged social background, the practice of "kangaroo care" made them more sensitive to the needs of their child, making them equivalent to mothers in more favorable environments.
Even WHO strongly recommends the "kangaroo care" method as a very effective and easy-to-apply practice and has made available a downloadable guide to this end to guide what is needed to implement and dispense. Kangaroo care. Care that is actively involved in the health and well-being of premature infants and term infants.
Whether in the context of "kangaroo care", volunteer programs to cuddle babies, or in everyday life as parents or loved ones, the effectiveness and importance of affectionately giving is to date, more to demonstrate.
