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The term "touch", I believe many people who have had fertility experience know, that is, after the baby is born, through the orderly, skillful touch of his/her skin, called "Touch" in English.
Studies have shown that touches may be helpful for children with sleep disorders. Such as difficulty falling asleep, easy to wake up, sleep mode changeable, etc.; infants who receive touch wake up to better sleep rhythm and more flexible response. Foreign studies have also found that touch can weaken the stress response, improve the body's immunity, enhance the infant's disease resistance, and promote the recovery of children with diseases.
Meltzoff, deputy director of the Institute of Brain Science at the University of Washington and a Ph.D. in education at Oxford University, led one such experiment. The researchers placed two groups of babies, both seven months old. The first group of babies had their hands or feet touched, and the second group watched other people's hands and feet being touched.
Observing the babies' brains through the magnetocardiograph found that when all babies are touched by small hands, their somatosensory cortex will be activated, and when the small feet are touched, except for one baby who does not start, the somatosensory cortex of other babies is activated.
Studies have shown that the more frequent skin contact, the more frequent and intense the stimulation transmitted by the tactile organs to the cerebral cortex, which is conducive to the development of the nervous system and the development of the brain cerebellar balance.
In addition, in the experiment, whether it is "feeling yourself being touched" or "watching others being touched", many babies' somatosensory cortex will be activated as a result. This means that even if the little baby doesn't yet speak and doesn't have much expression, he has mastered a special social skill.
Best time to stroke
The best time to touch should be between feedings. Babies who have just finished feeding should not be touched, which will cause the baby to spit up. When your baby is hungry or wants to fall asleep, he may be crying, emotionally unstable, and should not be touched.
How long it takes to stroke
Because the baby is too small, the attention can not be concentrated for a long time, each stroke action can not be repeated too much, the touch time is maintained at 15-20 minutes, should not be too long.
The intensity of the stroke
Baby skin is delicate, the strength should not be too large, according to the baby's reaction to moderately adjust the size of the force, with emollient oil or olive oil, so that the skin is slightly red, with the baby's age increases, the strength can be appropriately adjusted.
Precautions for touching
Before touching the baby, check whether the nails are too long to avoid scratching the baby;
§ Remove jewelry such as rings so as not to cause discomfort to the baby;
Pay attention to the indoor temperature, if it is too cold in winter, be sure to turn on the heating or air conditioning;
§ During the process of touching the baby, avoid touching the baby's mouth and eyes with emollient;
§ Do not force your baby to maintain a fixed position so that he does not feel disgusted by it;
Watch your baby's reaction, and if your baby reacts violently, stop stroking the massage.
In addition to touching, parents should often hug the baby, warm and close skin contact will increase the baby's sense of security, to the baby's body and mind to bring pleasure. Don't worry about spoiling your baby, skin contact during this period is very important for your baby.
Skin-to-skin contact is actually a silent "emotional exchange", and kissing and touching between parents and baby is an effective way to communicate emotions.
When mom and dad come into contact with your baby's skin, it will help your baby's brain secrete oxytocin. When babies secrete oxytocin and their cortisol levels drop, they feel relaxed and at ease, which helps calm your baby's mood.
About the author
Ji Yimei
Quzhou People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province
Chief Physician of the Obstetrics Department
Introduction: Member of the Communist Party of China, Secretary of the Party Branch of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Quzhou People's Hospital, Standing Committee Member of Family Planning Branch of Zhejiang Medical Association, Member of Perinatal Infection Committee of Zhejiang Maternal and Child Health Association, Member of Obstetrics and Gynecology Branch of Quzhou Medical Association of Zhejiang Province, Vice Chairman of Quzhou Perinatal Medicine Branch, Secretary of Quzhou Obstetrics Quality Control Center, Part-time Professor of Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.