Breaking the Shell
The birth of your first baby will be a unique experience for you. The baby will also have to adjust and adapt according to the new world she has entered suddenly. The warmth and comfort of the womb no longer exists. The baby is now surrounded by unfamiliar hands, strange sounds and bright lights. You need to bond with the baby to provide her the support needed by her to comfort her. Take care that during the first few days she gets all the warmth and coziness needed for the gradual transition from the womb to the real world. Bonding involves a learning experience for the parents as well as the baby. The baby will soon learn to distinguish between the tough of her mom and her dad. They will also know instantly when they are held by a stranger. They might have different reactions in each of the different situations.
The fact that you are responsible for a human being who enters into this world after being nine months in your womb will make you feel joyful and anxious at the same time. Parents who are having their first baby might panic more than those having their second or third. Though caring for your newborn is natural, still it is better that you take certain precautions while handling your baby. If you just listen to your natural instincts, you will find that you can instantly know what your baby wants or needs. You will be able to distinguish between the different cries of your baby and know exactly what each kind of cry denotes.
The kangaroo care is one of the best methods to establish a special closeness and bond with your newborn. This works on the principle of skin to skin contact. The baby should wear nothing except a diaper and the parent should have a bare chest. Holding the baby close to the chest develops a skin to skin contact which is proven to increase the attachment of baby with the parent. This is practiced in some neo-natal units in hospitals. Many researches on this theory have shown that this exercise helps in stabilizing the heart rate of the baby. The babies who have been able to feel this closeness appear to be more clam and mature. They do not have sleeping problems, gain weight faster and do not cry as frequently as other babies. The name is derived from kangaroos who keep their young ones in a punch to keep them close enough to their body.
You will gradually get used to this new lifestyle and will start enjoying the time you spend with your baby and nothing will be able to replace your special bond.
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Filed Under: Care & Safety
