The positive effects of sucking and skin contact

Background

Sucking, massage therapy and the kangaroo method are among the most frequently used supplementary treatments in neonatal clinics. They support the healthy development of pre-term babies and calm or stimulate babies.

Methodology

In her meta-study, Tiffany M. Field evaluates the currently available research findings on non-nutritive sucking, massage therapy and the kangaroo method in preterm infants.

Results

• Sucking on a pacifier, massage therapy and the kangaroo method have positive effects on the development of premature babies. They sleep better, gain weight more quickly, have fewer serious infections and can leave the hospital earlier. These positive effects have been documented by a number of studies.
• “[…] non-nutritive sucking helps calm children across a broad spectrum: from the preterm infant undergoing an uncomfortable procedure to the toddler adapting to an unfamiliar situation.“
• “Non-nutritive sucking has many of the same benefits for normal term infants, including increased state regulation (ability to prolong alert wakefulness without fussing), oxygenation, nutrition, weight gain, and growth.“
• Pacifiers reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death.
• The skin contact provided by the kangaroo method positively affects physical development, sleep, level of activity, breast-feeding and reduced infections.
• Premature babies who receive massage therapy gain weight faster, are released from hospital sooner and have a higher level of responsiveness.

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