On the occasion of World Prematurity Day on November 17, Adrien Taquet unveils a charter providing for no longer separating hospitalized newborns from their parents.
The Secretary of State for Children Adrien Taquet, the SOS Prema association and the French Society of Neonatology unveiled this November 17 afternoon at the Hautepierre hospital in Strasbourg the “hospitalized newborn charter”, A charter whose purpose is to ensure the link between parents and hospitalized newborns like premature babies.
The creation of this charter arises from a necessity: that of an issue of public health. Today, in France, 10% of births follow a hospitalization, a hospitalization that turns out to be a real challenge for families both in terms of emotional that in terms of entry into the parenthood. The associations also point out the importance of “attachment theory”According to which a newborn cannot flourish on the plane social, affective and cognitive only if the continuity of the bond is assured with his parents.
A charter ensuring the principle of “zero separation”
Shared with nearly 500 neonatal departments, the charter emphasizes the importance of links to be forged between parents and caregivers, to ensure optimal development of the newborn.
The key word of the charter? The principle of “zero separation”Which consists in ensuring a continuous presence with the newborn hospitalized in order to preserve the bond from birth.
The charter is built around 10 essential points to be implemented:
- “A continuous presence, from birth, without restriction, 24 hours a day, of at least one of his parents”
- “Better conditions to create the bond of attachment with his parents (physical contact, rocking, vocal exchanges, food) which improve his state of health and his good development “
- “Daily skin-to-skin contact, with at least one of his parents, or the trusted person designated by them, as early as possible, for a long period of time during the 24 hours and until discharge”
- “Maternal colostrum (1st milk) without restriction of gestational age or weight, in the absence of medical contraindication”
- “The possibility of sucking from the breast or from a bottle, as soon as it shows the capacity to do so, without restriction of gestational age “
- “A comfortable environment adapted to their sensory development (light, sound, smell, taste, touch)“
- “The participation of his parents in the care he receives with the support of health professionals“
- The gratitude “the protective role of his parents in the management of discomfort and pain in close cooperation with caregivers“
- “Accessible and understandable information intended for his parents to understand his state of health and take care of him“
- The establishment “individualized care, developed in consultation with their parents, and in accordance with the most recent scientific literature on the subject“
These are all elements which, once in place, will allow parents of premature children to better face this difficult moment and to apprehend it with more serenity.