Essay Sample on Skin-to-Skin Contact With Newborn

Introduction

Infants require skin to skin contact. This is because keeping them close and on their mother's skin a couple of hours after birth is essential to the child's health and a general sense of contentment. It is those few hours of skin to skin contact that enables a child to acknowledge the fact that they are safe, and loved, hence the importance of skin to skin contact between the mother and the child.

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Massage

During the first few hours after birth, massage during skin to skin contact is incredibly essential for the infant. This is because the baby is out of its natural habitat in the womb. This external environment may cause the baby to develop stress. By being skin to skin contact with the mother, the baby can feel the mother's warmth and heartbeat (The Irish Times). Some reports have indicated that the baby can sync their pulse to within milliseconds of the mother's heartbeat which reduces stress and enables the infant to transition smoothly into their new habitat. Massaging also allows the baby's core muscle groups to get a vital kick-start. For example, rubbing the baby's back encourages the baby to breath more easily thereby exercising the diaphragm and the ribs. This rhythmic massage is both healthy and therapeutic for both the baby and the mother.

Cuddle Parties

Cuddle parties between the baby and its mother are essential to the infant. This first-time contact while cuddling is a massive step at reprogramming the child's senses of smell, touch, taste, sight, sound, and feel. The baby can familiarize itself to these senses as the mothers and feel comfortable learning that it is safe and cared for in the presence of those senses. Cuddle parties enable the child to sleep better (Kluger). It is therefore highly encouraged for mothers to have cuddle parties with their infants on bare skin to skin contact. The exposed skin cuddles also enhance the bonding experience between mother and child. Interviews that have been done to new mother's show that the experience of connecting with the child by cuddling with them was other-worldly, and the closeness they felt to their child was incredible.

Contact Sports

It is necessary for parents to introduce children to contact sports at an early age. This introduction into contact sports is an essential part of parenting and the growth of the child's mental and physical faculties. Contact sports are primarily based on teamwork like the family base at home. Therefore, contact sports enable children to grasp the concept of teamwork much deeper. Contact sports also enhance a child's confidence levels as evidenced by coach reports that playing football got some kids to stop bullying because they would get tackled (Briggs), a technique learned from football. Contact sports also enable a child to finesse their cognitive and physical strengths and be stronger physically and mentally. Contact sports create a sense of responsibility that is both healthy and advocated for by both parents and coaches. Even though contact sports are violent and could result in severe injuries like concussions, it would be prudent for parents to allow their children to engage in them since it enables them to gain confidence in both themselves and the parents.

Works Cited

Briggs, Dave. Kids and Contact Sports. 20 September 2012. 12 May 2019. https://www.todaysparent.com/family/family-health/kids-and-contact-sports/.

Kluger, Jeffrey. How Cuddling Saves Tiny Babies. 8 January 2014. 12 May 2019. http://time.com/504/how-cuddling-saves-tiny-babies/.

The Irish Times. The Advantages of Skin-to-Skin Contact With Your Newborn. 5 July 2016. 12 May 2019. https://www.irishtimes.com/sponsored/waterwipes/the-benefits-of-skin-to-skin-contact-with-your-newborn-1.2710047.