Importance of Mother Seeing her Newborn Right after Birth

Importance of Mother Seeing her Newborn Right after Birth

Scientists have documented the importance of the mother seeing and having a skin-to-skin interaction with her child right after birth. The mother and baby have a physiologic need to be together immediately after birth, as well as the hours and days that follow. It is vital for the mother not just to see but also to have a skin-to-skin interaction with the infant. Research shows that the sensitive period following childbirth is highly affected by elevated degrees of oxytocin, a maternal reproductive hormone that moves from the placenta to the baby (Crenshaw, 2014). Oxytocin, which majorly rises during physical touch, enhances attachment between the infant and mother, lessens newborn and mother’s stress, and aids the infant in transitioning into postnatal life (Crenshaw, 2014). Therefore, it is essential for the caregivers to encourage more time spent between the mother and the newborn immediately after birth.

The hormone oxytocin kindles maternal emotions following childbirth as the mother gazes, touches, and breastfeeds the child (Crenshaw, 2014). Additionally, more oxytocin is released as the mother holds the newborn closely. The mother’s brain produces beta-endorphins during direct physical touch with the skin, which enables the mother to react better to her child, increase the pleasure of such interactions, and feel calm.

Disrupting or delaying the mother from seeing her child and having physical touch is likely to suppress the newborn’s protective behaviors and might result in behavioral disorganization and make breastfeeding and self-attachment quite difficult. It may also disrupt mother-infant bonding, lessen the mother’s emotional reaction to the baby, and adversely impact maternal behavior. Therefore, Dalbye, Calais, and Berg (2017) advocate for this interaction as an optimal care method.

 References

Crenshaw, J. T. (2014). Healthy birth practice# 6: Keep mother and baby together—It’s best for mother, baby, and breastfeeding. The Journal of Perinatal Education, 23(4), 211-217.

Dalbye, R., Calais, E., & Berg, M. (2017). Mothers’ experiences of skin-to-skin care of healthy full-term newborns–A phenomenology study. Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, 2(3), 107-111.

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Module 2 Discussion
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Compose a 400-word or less discussion to respond to the following:

Importance of Mother Seeing her Newborn Right after Birth

Why is it important for a mother to see her newborn right after birth? Explain.