Never underestimate the power of touch. The video above describes twin sisters born on 17 October 1995 in Worcester, Massachusetts twelve weeks premature. They were both weighed about two pounds (about 900 grams). When Brielle Jackson went into respiratory distress, Gayle Kasparian, an NICU nurse, put her healthier sister Kyrie in the incubator with her. This allowed skin-to-skin contact and Brielle immediately stabilized. This and similar practices have been since termed "Kangaroo Care" and the practice with premature infants has been called "co-bedding". It improves oxygen levels in blood, reduces apnea, engenders better weight gain, leads to decreased agitation, reduced hospital length-of-stay, less chance of readmission and better temperature regulation. Hugging/cuddling also strengthens the immune system, reduces anxiety, helps depression, lowers blood pressure and improves sleep quality.
The human touch is a powerful thing. Do not squander it.
Both Brielle and Kyrie are healthy are now high school juniors.
See also:
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2203: A Body Language Metric of Intimacy and Affection - How Do YOU cuddle?
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2: Body Language of Blake Lively and Penn Badgley Strongly Suggests an Impending Break-up in Near Future
Romance, Dating & Marriage - Body Language Secret # 1500: Six Degrees? Leaning In, Head Touching and the Manubrium - Kyra and Kevin are 10th Cousins, Once Removed
Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1423: Head First Affection & Head Surrogate Hugs
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1911: Dina & Clint Eastwood - Preening as a Signal of Affection-Attraction
Dating & Romance Body Language Secret # 1139: Is Their Hug Sincere? Karen & Rick Santorum
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1898: Heat, Hugs & Head Surrogates
See also:
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2203: A Body Language Metric of Intimacy and Affection - How Do YOU cuddle?
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2: Body Language of Blake Lively and Penn Badgley Strongly Suggests an Impending Break-up in Near Future
Romance, Dating & Marriage - Body Language Secret # 1500: Six Degrees? Leaning In, Head Touching and the Manubrium - Kyra and Kevin are 10th Cousins, Once Removed
Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1423: Head First Affection & Head Surrogate Hugs
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1911: Dina & Clint Eastwood - Preening as a Signal of Affection-Attraction
Dating & Romance Body Language Secret # 1139: Is Their Hug Sincere? Karen & Rick Santorum
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1898: Heat, Hugs & Head Surrogates
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