A warm and soothing welcome for your baby
Some schools of thought defend the idea of a “non-violent birth” and have developed neonatal programmes designed to soothe the newborn and promote the baby’s early development and wellbeing.
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Emphasis is placed on reducing the mother’s stress levels, creating a soothing and welcoming environment for the birth, as well as promoting early contact and bonding between mother and child.
Such non-violent birth theory and practices were popularised by Frederick Leboyer in the mid-seventies. Extensions of these practices involve water birth and delaying the cutting of the umbilical cord. The newborn may also be kept in the warm water and massaged until calm, to soothe the shock associated with his change of environment from the womb to the world.
Preparing to welcome your baby
Here are some of the basics for welcoming your newborn following the non-violent birthing precepts:
- Temperature: The temperature of the birthing room should be calculated and be as close as possible to the 36-37°C of the uterus.
- Soft lighting: Soft lighting generates a feeling of calm and tranquillity, improves circulation and provides an atmosphere closer to that of the womb.
- Maximum possible reduction of environmental noise: The baby can therefore clearly perceive familiar sounds like mummy’s voice and her heartbeat.
- Early visual contact: Newborns particularly enjoy eye contact, especially if the faces are those of mummy and daddy.
- Freedom of movement: A baby requires a certain amount of freedom of movement once out of the womb. Initial swaddling after the birth should be sufficiently loosened so that the baby can move his arms and legs; he should then be placed immediately on the mother’s stomach or breast.
- Gentle touch: Babies need to be touched by their mothers as soon as they are born. Several studies have shown that babies held and caressed by their mothers right after birth feel safer emotionally.
- Immediate breast-feeding: Early breast-feeding stimulates milk production and develops most of the newborn’s senses (taste, smell, touch and sight). But more importantly, it calms the baby, reminding her of how she sucked her fingers in the womb.
Welcoming baby at home or at the clinic
Obviously, if you are planning a home birth you will have more control over your birthing environment and the way you and your baby go through the birthing experience.
That being said, many maternity clinics have birthing rooms and facilities that can accommodate a less medicalised and ‘non-violent’ approach to childbirth, so don’t hesitate to discuss your wishes with your midwife.
Copyright © 2011 Doctissimo
Posted 16.03.2011
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