Neonatology 

In the '80s, the United States was very fashionable among young parents, the concept of bonding - that only connection that is established between mother and newborn immediately after birth. Doctors Marshall H. Klaus and John H. Kennell, who first spoke about bonding, said that in humans, like in other mammals, there is a sensitive period after birth, a period in which mother and baby are "programmed" to be together, to touch, to smell, to see, to hear one another. The two doctors have compared more mother- infant couples and found that those who come in contact very quickly, immediately after birth, were much closer than those who, for various reasons, have seen and touched each other later.

The relationship between mother and child is a continuation of that established during pregnancy, when mother's body changes "announced" permanently that inside her a new person grows. Birth cements this relationship, makes it real, authentic. After birth, you can touch, see and hold that being whose presence was previously felt only by blows from the tummy or the heartbeat heard on ultrasound. Before birth you gave your blood to your child. After birth you give it your milk, your eyes, your hands, your voice, your whole being.

Early studies on the relationship between parents and children have completely changed the birth process. Thus, in some hospitals father is encouraged to attend the birth, to cut the umbilical cord or to film. Babies no longer spend the few days of hospitalization in special rooms but in the same room with their mother and some maternities also offer father the opportunity to sleep with them.

In addition, the first contact of mother with the newborn occurs more quickly, sometimes before it is taken over by nurses, measured, weighed and washed. It became a habit for most physicians to at least show the child to the mother, or even put it in her arms immediately after birth.

In Western countries, the mother may even breastfeed the baby on the birth table. Entering more quickly in contact with the mother, feeling her smelling, touching her skin, hearing the heartbeat, the baby makes easier the transition between the intrauterine and ectopic life. Normally, this shift is difficult for the newborn, used to a warm, wet and familiar environment. Outside the uterus, it meets a cold, noisy, brightly lit environment which scares it. At this time, the contact with the mother not only strengthens the link between them, but it helps the baby to settle and move more easily over the difficult experience of birth.

Ideally is that the first contact between mother and newborn take place as soon as possible, immediately after birth. But what if this is not possible, for example in premature births or those by cesarean section with general anesthesia? If other mammals no longer recognize their pups that were separated from at birth, humans do not have this problem. You can retrieve the lost time by spending more time with your baby, whenever possible. Even if you can take it in your arms, even if it has to stay in the incubator, the lost time can be recovered and the first contact between mother and baby is no less exciting. Even the adoptive parents may have an initial full of emotions contact with their baby.

A cesarean section, although it is a surgery, still remains childbirth, one that must be respected. The first contact with the infant should not be less magical. Today dads are allowed to assist in cesarean section and mommies may require local anesthesia to enjoy the baby's first cry and be able to touch it immediately.

Turn the first contact with your infant in a truly magical moment:

• Ask the medical staff to delay a few minutes the routine procedures and to give you the baby immediately after birth. The ointment that is applied on eyes normally determines the babies to close their eyes. First contact is even nicer if you could look in your baby's eyes.
• If there is any complication, require the nurses to put your baby on your chest or abdomen immediately after birth.
• Nurse quickly. Sucking soothes the baby and makes it happy, it stimulates the secretion of oxytocin which contracts uterine muscle and prevents postpartum bleedings. In addition, it will help you attach to one another immediately.
• Touch your baby. Take advantage of the first few minutes spent together and caress it all over. Mother's petting is pleasant but also has a therapeutic value. The skin is the body's largest organ and it contains many nerve endings. At the moment when the child's breathing is irregular, gentle caresses make it breathe more efficiently and rhythmically.
• Place your baby so that you can look in its eyes. At a distance of 20-25 centimeters it sees you best. Look in its eyes and enjoy the few minutes it spends awake before falling into a profound sleep. Birth has been tiring for it also.