Last update: April 19, 2018
Stress spares no one, it does not take age into account. Even our children can be stressed, even before they even come into the world. The triggers of stress in childhood are represented by those circumstances that for children are real challenges. That is why it is important to foster a peaceful and relaxed childhood, so that one day children will be adults without anxiety.
Separation from parents when school starts, a teacher reprimand, quarrels with friends at recess, punishment for not having eaten everything on the plate or sleeping alone in the bedroom are small problems that children look for. to resolve day after day with the resources they have available and which are in any case scarce. The little ones have not yet reached maturity to cope with stress.
Tips to ensure a peaceful childhood
Stress-free pregnancy
Michel Odent, a famous French obstetrician, has devoted most of his life to studying the influence of pregnancy and childbirth on the development of the baby. The expert claims that the mother's emotional state during pregnancy has a greater bearing on the baby's development than her emotional state in her first year of life.
This makes us understand that any external factor capable of generating stress for the mother also affects the fetus to a greater or lesser extent.
“It is important to protect the emotional state of pregnant women, as future generations are raising; because the physical and emotional health of the children that will be born depends on their well-being and emotional balance. "
Michel Oden
During pregnancy, women have to face moments of great nervousness: continuous exams, hassles, worries. They do not compromise the fetus if they are sporadic and occasional moments. However, if the stress lasts for a long time, it can physically and mentally harm the mother and even the baby.
Beware of teratogens
The prenatal environment of the uterus is much more constant than the outside world. However, there are many environmental factors that can compromise the embryo and its future childhood. They are the so-called teratogens. They can directly or indirectly cause structural or functional abnormalities in the baby, even after birth.
The consequences can be very serious. We are talking about problems of underweight at birth, premature birth, deformity, physical defects or even death. Parents and society itself, therefore, must work to create a safe environment for the development of the unborn child.
Some of these teratogens are psychoactive substances. The best known effect of nicotine in pregnancy, for example, is the underweight of the newborn, but it can also cause a miscarriage. Radiation, environmental pollution or bacterial and parasitic diseases such as toxoplasmosis, chickenpox or mumps are other dangerous factors.
Adequate nutrition of the mother
A balanced and correct diet before and after pregnancy is essential for the baby to develop at its best in the womb and be ready to face the moment of birth. In fact, the nutritional condition of the mother before becoming pregnant weighs more on the weight of the baby than the pounds gained during gestation.
If the mother-to-be has nutritional deficiencies, it will be difficult for the baby to have a peaceful and relaxed childhood. Some effects of this malnutrition, in fact, are the reduction of the immune efficiency, the prematurity or the interruption of the development of the baby's nervous system.
The natural birth for a peaceful childhood
Birth is a highly stressful and traumatic time for the baby. The newborn leaves the protective environment of the womb to reach the outside world where it has to breathe on its own. Immediately notice a change in temperature, lower, and brightness, different sound effects and is asked for a certain autonomy.
We also advise you to read: For newborns, love is the best stimulus to form healthy emotional bonds
Science has shown that natural childbirth is healthier for the baby and for the mother because synthetic hormones such as oxytocin are not administered in this way, which can cause difficulties. Despite natural childbirth, the child will still suffer the stress of the impact of the new world.
In order for him to have a peaceful childhood, therefore, it is necessary to create favorable conditions for his optimal growth. After delivery, it is important for the newborn to adequately develop his internal regulatory system, both visceral and nervous.
The first hour, skin to skin
A beautiful and intense moment when the newborn comes into skin-to-skin contact with the mother. It has been shown that early physical contact improves breastfeeding and promotes a relaxed childhood, in fact it prevents the baby from being too stressed in the hours after delivery.
At this moment what experts call ecological transition takes place, in other words the physical coupling of the maternal body and the fetus during pregnancy is replaced by a link of a psychological nature after childbirth.
The next nine months
After birth, the foreign-gestation phase begins, the second nine months of gestation whereby the baby continues to grow out of the womb.
The mother becomes a physiological and emotional regulator, so she must pay attention to every signal she transmits. If she appears stressed, the baby may reproduce the same toxic reaction.
Also read: Simple Stress Reduction Technique: Jacobson's Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Adult protection net
As the child grows, his social and intimate relationships also grow. It is therefore necessary for him to have adults alongside him as points of reference that form his network of protection and support.
This does not mean that it must be over-protected, but that it must always have a point of support to turn to in case of difficulty. Instead of hyper-sensitizing to stress, in his childhood he will be able to develop resilience, or the ability to overcome adversity.
If for any reason the child produces a stress response, the main attachment figure will serve as a shock absorber. In this way, the little one will suffer less if he has an adult next to him who gives him love, care and protection. Only with this barrier of support will he be able to enjoy a peaceful and peaceful childhood.
