The Power of Human Touch in Baby Care

The power of human touch is life affirming.

Kangaroo Care with Intentional Baby Care

We know from historical events that babies deprived of human touch will not survive for very long. Here is a more recent event that again demonstrates the power of human touch for newborns.

In 2010 in Sidney, Australia, a premature twin boy was pronounced dead shortly after birth, unable to survive despite medical efforts to save him. My heart goes out to anyone who loses a baby.

The mother of this newborn held him snuggled on her chest in Kangaroo Care, a special way of holding premies and newborns skin to skin, to say her farewell. She was talking to him, loving him, and gently touching him as a mother naturally does with her baby. Incredulous as it sounds, this premature baby, pronounced dead at birth, started to move.

Not sure if it was just a reflex or true movement the mom continued to hold her son, and continued to shower him with her love, attention, and touch.

The combination of human touch (provided by the special skin-to-skin connection as well as her gentle caresses) her love, and her attention gave her newborn life!

Kangaroo Care, and abundant human touch, are within your ability to give to your newborn baby too. Both are powerful forces that bring a world of goodness to your baby, and a world of happiness to you.

For you and yours,

D. Fravert, RN