Touch in premature babies

If a baby is born before 37 weeks, it will be considered premature, but to speak of prematurity is to speak of a very broad term, so it is important to know that it must be contextualized by individual to each one of the babies, will depend on the weight, gestational age and maturity. It is distress

If a baby is born before 37 weeks, it will be considered premature, but to speak of prematurity is to speak of a very broad term, so it is important to know that it must be contextualized by individual to each one of the babies, will depend on the weight, gestational age and maturity.

It is distressing for parents to see their child in intensive care, intubated and isolated in an incubator. If the baby is in this situation,it will be essential to caress himthrough the doors. Affectionate care can be as important to the health of the baby as the most advanced medical technology.

What parents can do to help their premature child

Currently many hospitals have neonatal units that open their doors 24 hours a day where mothers can stay close to their children, help with their care and breastfeed. Being together, will favor the connection between both and the mother will feel that her baby belongs to her, it will alleviate her anguish as a premature mother and in parallel it will benefit her little one.

One of the most successful and revolutionary methods is theKangaroo Method, which consists of placing the baby in the breast of the mother or the father in contactskin with skin.This method, once again, shows us that nourishing touch works and that it manages to get ahead more easily to babies born earlier than expected.

Why touch is so important for premature babies

- Touch is the first and most important connection of your baby to the world. When I was inside you, I felt you 24 hours a day, now that you are out fighting for survival, you will know that you are still at your side accompanying him in his recovery through touch, for him, you are everything that represents his world. El - Touch is abasic need

, the human baby not only survives but reaches its full potential, in addition, an adequate touch will help you to gain weight more quickly.- Your premature baby has probably been subjected to many tests, and will continue a process of monitoring and treatment in your incubator, a treatment that will be extremely annoying, therefore, we as parents, we must be sensitive and receptive to the signals of our baby adapting the touch to your needs- You probably will not tolerate touch in certain areas of your body because you will still remember the punctures, tubes, masks. Be sensitive and apply 'que hands that rest'

. It is a way of preparing the baby so that over time a very gentle and delicate massage can be applied. For those highly sensitive babies who have suffered or suffer some pain, they will usually be reassured when they receive the contact with their hands. We will communicate love, warmth, comfort and comfort, and little by little it will be possible to eliminate any memory of pain. It will be days working this technique until we can subtly move our hands.- Let us use touch with great sensitivity, as well as light, noise, postural care, avoid sudden manipulations, our little one is as fragile as a feather, but remember that strong as an oak, you only need your time and your company.

How to use touch with the premature baby at homeThe arrival at home was desired, you have spent some time wishing it but now you can invadea bit of fear

before the situation of finding yourself alone away from the medical help you have received so far .

The appropriate infant massage for your baby, will help you to strengthen the emotional bond

and confidence in yourselves. Look for professionals of the Infant Massage with the specialty in Premature Families. The nutritional touch, in addition to helping the baby, helps the parents to adapt more quickly to the situation. The arrival in the world of a premature baby reinforces the family, time will teach you that when you look back and remember the first weeks and months of your child's life, you will realize how far you have come as a family, and together as family you can continue facing the future. Marta López Estríngana

Reflexologist, Chiromassage and infant massage educator