The power of touch for all ages

Valentine's Day is all about LOVE, and one of the best ways to convey love is through touch.  Here's just a little reminder about the amazing power of touch.  And as you go around today wishing a happy Valentine's Day to all, why not include a thoughtful touch (just keep it within reason ;)

* When a baby is born and is allowed immediate skin to skin contact with his mother, his temperature, breathing, heart rate, digestion and blood sugar regulate, his stress levels are reduced, he tends to latch on to breastfeed easier and his skin is even colonized with the same beneficial bacteria as the mother.  The mother also benefits: hormones to promote breastfeeding and mothering are stimulated and she is more relaxed.  My dear friend recently had her 3rd baby via  C-section and asked to be given the baby immediately.  The hospital where she delivered said they had never done this but agreed to it and recognized the benefits.  She said it was such a sweet time and was so glad she asked and they said okay.  She'll likely remember that moment forever.  This skin-to-skin contact is important throughout the first days and weeks and is ideally practiced with the father as well.  According to a recent study, the lasting positive benefits of skin-to-skin contact were seen in 10 year olds who were born premature and included a better response to stress, more mature functioning of the autonomic nervous system and better cognitive control than 10 year olds who were preterm and received standard care.