Premature babies have a shorter gestational age than term babies, and their nutrient reserves are somewhat worse than those of a full-term baby. At the same time, in terms of gastrointestinal function, immunity and nervous system development, premature babies are usually "half a beat slower" than full-term babies. So, is there any way to help premature babies quickly catch up with the big troops of full-term babies? Clinical studies have found that scientific and appropriate caressing for the baby can help promote the development of multiple systems of premature babies.
What is Touch? What are the benefits?
Touch is a lighter massage treatment for your baby. Appropriate caressing methods can help premature babies gain weight, boost immunity, and promote muscle and motor development1, thereby shortening your baby's hospital stay and helping them catch up with growth.
In addition, studies have shown that touch can also promote your baby's sleep, reduce neonatal jaundice, and reduce the incidence of neonatal swallowing syndrome and cold injury syndrome2.
How does touch work2?
In fact, the touch method for premature babies is very simple, it can not only help premature babies catch up with growth, but also serve as a parent-child interaction between parents and babies.
Preparation before touching
Temperature: 25 to 28 degrees Celsius
Humidity: 50%~60%
Hands: Do not wear any jewelry, keep your hands smooth and barb-free, and rub your hands together to keep them warm before touching your baby3
Time: After the baby bathes, before napping or 1 hour after eating, the baby is not tired, hungry, irritable and awake
Touch method
Head and face
Nudge the thumbs of both hands from the center of the forehead to the sides;
Slide both thumbs from the center of the lower forehead outward upwards;
The palms of both hands are caressed from the forehead hairline to the pillow, and the fingers of both hands stop at the mastoids behind the ears and gently press.
chest
Slide both hands from the lateral lower side of the chest to the contralateral outer upper.
abdomen
Slide your hands sequentially from the baby's right lower abdomen through the middle upper quadrant to the left upper quadrant;
Right hand finger belly self upper left belly slid left lower belly; right hand finger belly self upper right belly left left down belly; right hand finger belly self right right belly slide upper right belly downward belly.
limbs
Grasp the proximal edge of the limb with both hands and squeeze the side to the distal end, and rub the large muscle groups and joints, first the upper limb and then the lower limb.
Hands and feet: Use both thumbs to slide from the baby's wrist to the direction of the finger, and gently pinch each hand joint; the foot is the same as the hand.
back
Place your baby in a prone position (lying on his stomach) and slide his hands from the center to the sides of the spine.
Pay attention to the baby's expression when touching, keep the voice soft, talk to the baby appropriately, and help the baby relax physically and mentally.
It should be noted that premature babies within one week of birth are usually difficult to withstand heavy force compressions, during which time parents only need to gently touch the baby's head or back when stroking.
*The above methods of touching premature babies are for reference only, and the specific methods should be studied and carried out under the guidance of medical staff.
Parents should insist on properly touching the premature baby every day to help the baby grow and develop, and help the premature baby grow up healthily
References:
1. Wang L, et al. Am J Perinatol. 2013; 30(9): 731-738.
2. WANG Liyan. International Journal of Nursing. 2011; 30(2):169-171.
3. Gu Jianwei, et al. Journal of Nursing Continuing Education. 2016; 31(15): 1351-1353.
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