Child Abuse Neglect vs Nurture Allison Wagner Introduction
Child Abuse & Neglect vs. Nurture Allison Wagner
Introduction: Child Abuse & Neglect “Childhood lays the foundation for adolescent and adult functioning. The first two years of life are vital in determining personality, social behavior, and the ability to form relationships. Experiences during this critical time can set the stage for the manner in which we approach social situations. ” –Counseling the Nursing Mother: A Lactation Consultant’s Guide 5 th Edition
Over 30% of Child Neglect Happens DURING THIS TIME (birth-2 years)
Types of Child Abuse ØEmotional Abuse ØChild Neglect ØPhysical Abuse ØSexual Abuse
Emotional Abuse o Constant belittling, shaming or humiliating the child o Calling names and making negative comparisons to others o Frequent yelling, threatening, scolding, etc. o Ignoring or rejecting a child as punishment, giving him or her the silent treatment o Limited or no physical contact with child such as no hugs, kisses, cuddles or any signs of affection. o Exposing the child to other forms of abuse, such as abuse to another person, child or household pet.
Child Neglect A crime consisting of acts of a parent (including a step-parent, adoptive parent, or someone who serves in a parent's role) which endangers the health and life of a child or fails to take steps necessary to the proper raising of a child. The neglect can include, but is not limited to: 1. leaving a child alone when he or she needs protection 2. failure to provide food, clothing, medical attention or education to a child 3. placing the child in dangerous or harmful circumstances, including exposing the child to a violent, abusive or sexually predatory person.
Sexual Abuse • Shame and Guilt Children feel that they are responsible for the abuse and somehow brought it on themselves. This leads to self-loathing and sexual problems as they grow older. They are either one of two extremes: Extremely promiscuous or they have an inability to have intimate relationships.
R!SKS • • • Domestic violence Alcohol or Drug abuse Untreated mental illness Lack of parenting skills Stress and lack of support *REPORT ANY CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT!* YOU COULD SAVE A CHILD’S LIFE!
Part 2: Nurture Baby’s Brain Development “In the mother’s womb, the baby is already collecting messages or “sensations” of touch, sound and warmth from the mother. When the baby is born, she is expecting these familiar sounds and feelings. What a shock, then, to be separated from her mother. The baby then feels unsafe, and her brain fires and wires for stress and avoidance. Premature babies are even more sensitive and struggle even more to find their balance so they need Skin-to-Skin even more than full term babies. A baby that was separated from mom for a long time at birth may struggle to connect with people later. This poorer social development has long term effects on health. ” -Hold Your Premie: A workbook on skin-to-skin contact for parents of premature babies
The Similarities IN MOM’S WOMB • Baby’s arms bent • Legs bent or flexed • Quiet and peaceful sounds • Feels contained in mom • Back curled • Fed continuously • Nearly dark in womb • Feels SAFE • Mom’s womb hold’s her ON MOM’S CHEST • Baby’s arms bent • Legs bent or flexed • Quiet and peaceful sounds • Mom’s arms or sling contain her • Back curled • Fed frequently • Gentle light inside shirt or sling • Feels SAFE • Mom’s arms hold her
How will the baby spend the first hour? ON MOM’S CHEST • Baby isn’t stressed • Respiratory rate is more even • Heart rate is normal and stable • Temperature is slightly higher than an incubator and in a very small range • Self attachment and bonding • Breastfeeding and growth • Breastmilk provides immune protection and nutritional needs • Best sensory stimulation so the baby has emotional well-being • Absorbs food in gut well • Baby grows faster (> 2/3 oz/a day) INCUBATOR (SEPARATED) • Baby is stressed • Breathing is often irregular • Heart rate varies or is slower • Big fluctuations in baby’s body temperature • Baby protests and cries • Dissociation and survival and less growth • No immune protection at all from cow’s milk and only basic nutritional needs are provided • Harmful stimuli to brain • Gut absorption has gone down • Baby grows slower or can even stunt growth (1/3 oz/a day)
Promoting Skin-to-Skin How to do Skin-to-Skin: ü Place naked baby onto mom’s bare chest at birth ü Cover baby with a folded cloth or mom’s shirt ü Mom speaks quietly to the baby ü As the baby sleeps, her airways need to be secure, so make sure her body is supported firmly on mom’s chest *Dad can do Skin-to-Skin too!* Benefits of Skin-to-Skin: ü Makes the baby feel secure and safe ü Baby’s vital signs and development becomes stable ü Baby is more likely to breastfeed ü Baby’s brain wires and baby relaxes while she sleeps ü Baby and mom bond with one another, opening up pathways in baby’s brain, making it easier for baby to connect to others later in life
Things You May Not Know • Mom’s breasts change temperature to accommodate the baby! • Breastfeeding reduces the mother’s chances of getting ovarian and breast cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis • Breastfeeding saves a family approx. 2 -4 thousand dollars annually (compared to cost of formula) • Breastfeeding helps mom return to her pre-baby weight faster. • Breastmilk is good left at room temperature for up to 8 hours! (Formula goes bad after 1 hour) • Mom’s milk changes as the baby changes • Breastfeeding reduces baby’s risk of cavities later on and may lower the chance they will need braces as kids. • Breastfeeding moms sleep on average 45 minutes more a night, compared to those who formula feed.
BREASTFEEDING REDUCES: q q q q q Sickness and time in the hospital Diarrhea and vomiting Infection of the gut (gastroenteritis) NEC (necrotizing entercolitis colic: a bad gut infection) Ear infections Respiratory infections (pneumonia, bronchitis, etc. ) Type 1 & 2 Diabetes Leukemia High blood pressure Eczema Tooth decay High cholesterol Risk of vitamin F and iron deficiencies Ulcerative colitis Crohn’s disease Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) Common colds and flu q q q Allergies Asthma Blood poisoning (septicemia) SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) Meningitis
Conclusion q The first two years of life are vital in determining personality, social behavior, and the ability to form relationships. q The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding and skin-to-skin for the first two years of life. q The highest percent of child abuse and neglect happens the first two years of life. If more people held their babies skin-to-skin and breastfed them continuously for the first two years, we could decrease child abuse and neglect.
We need to start at the beginning. *Thank you for your kind attention!*
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