In Papa’s Arms And On His Skin: A Wonderful Place To Grow Up

We know that few places are safer, more loving, and more important for a baby than its mother’s arms. But … what about the fathers?

It is clear that they cannot breastfeed or give birth, but their closeness, affection, voice, and even their skin are very important to the newborn. On Papa’s arms grow is wonderful.

Today, for example, there are hundreds of hospitals that have implemented a wonderful ritual. If a mother gives birth by caesarean section and is recovering from anesthesia, the father can do the kangaroo method if he so wishes. With a little embarrassment, excitement and a little fear, he takes off his shirt to lay the newborn on his chest. The baby found in dad’s arms the same soothing place like in mom’s arms.

Few things are as comforting as this picture. The newborn regulates its temperature, relieves its stress and has the first and necessary contact with someone who will be a part of their life. His father. It is an initiative that all hospitals should no doubt take on. In Papa’s arms, the baby will find, as we can imagine, a safe, warm and important place.

We invite you to delve a little deeper into the topic.

Growing up in daddy’s arms

There is a lot of talk about the hormonal changes in the mother during pregnancy and breastfeeding. We all know them and no doubt many of our readers will have seen them for themselves. Well, as amazing as that may seem, the father’s brain also experiences its own hormonal and emotional changes during this process.

Less testosterone during parenting

This fact is very interesting. According to a study done at Northwestern University in Illinois, USA , when a man becomes a father, testosterone levels are significantly reduced.

• This hormone performs its familiar function during the couple’s flirtation, passion and intimacy. It reaches its highest values ​​at the beginning of the seduction, when he has to show himself at his best in order to attract the desired person.
• However, once the pregnancy begins for the couple and after the birth, the father’s brain does not need testosterone. His only need is to ensure the survival of this child, to look after him and to take care of him.

Not only women have “maternal” instincts

We are all born with the natural instinct for attention, care, and affection for our children. We can spend a certain part of our lives thinking that this is not the case, but the birth and feeling of this creature in our arms activates what is known as the “network of parenthood” in us.

• Brain structures such as the amygdala, the insular cortex or the nucleus accumbens are involved in this internal cycle.
• In women it is almost a “primitive” instinct. Men develop this instinct when they feel the baby around them.
• According to a study by the University of Bar-Ilan in Israel, a man’s brain becomes “more motherly” when he has more responsibility.

Aspects such as putting the baby to sleep, giving him the bottle, bathing him, or rocking him in his arms reinforce this instinct.

On daddy’s skin

We already know that the skin contact method is also beneficial when the father has the baby on his chest. This extraordinary contact will always be better than a cot. It will always relieve more fears than a simple blanket or a caress.

The kangaroo method is not intended exclusively for mothers, because today fathers know that they are not just bystanders. Raising a child is a team effort and when the mother “breastfeeds” Dad can offer his torso so that the baby falls asleep and feels the security of a heart that will always be by his side. That will protect him from any danger and that will encourage him to pursue his dreams.

Many studies reiterate  the need to perform this ritual of love and care with babies born prematurely.

• It regulates temperature and breathing.
• Decreases infections
• Neural maturation is promoted.
• The quality of the baby’s rest is increased.
• We offer the baby a tactile and auditory movement stimulus.
• The weight gain is supported.

• The babies cry less and we also support the baby’s adaptation to life outside the uterus.

We know that the importance of the mother in a baby’s daily life is constantly being talked about. In this first phase, a child only needs three things: breast milk, affection, and routine.

Apart from breastfeeding , the father can do all other tasks very well and contribute to the full development of the child with his hugs, affection and attention.

Let us all be active protagonists in raising the baby: mothers and fathers.