As you prepare to birth your baby, do you think back to your own childhood? Were you ever in tough situations you don’t want your baby to experience? Do you want to give baby a life better than yours? Know that you have the power to intervene to keep adverse childhood experiences, (ACEs), for your baby to a minimum and create better long-term health.
ACES are traumatic experiences in childhood that are linked to poor health outcomes. Toxic stress in children ages 0-17 can damage the structure and function of their developing brains. This damage can impact their learning, behavior, and physical and mental health. Notably, children are resilient, but each baby you have will respond to stressors differently.
Give Baby a Positive Childhood
Before baby is born, begin to lay the foundation for positive childhood experiences. To do this, you may need to:
- Relocate away from violent areas or people
- Avoid smoking, and using alcohol and recreational drugs
- Seek help if you’re being physically or emotionally abused
- Build up your finances
- Engage in healthy relationships
After baby’s birth:
Feed baby your breastmilk for at least 3 months as this is linked to higher intelligence scores later in life and a host of other benefits. You can also:
- Snuggle, hug, kiss, and play with baby
- Choose caregivers and babysitters that are loving and kind
- Read reviews of local childcare centers
- Practice healthy relationships with family and friends
- Take care of your own physical and mental health
In the toddler years:
- Connect with families you trust for playdates
- Teach baby how they’re connected to others
- Seek community resources for support
- Keep baby safe; never allow alcohol, drugs or tobacco use near baby
- Visit a lawyer to make a legal and financial plan for baby should something happen to you
Promote Good Health for Baby
Stress fundamentally changes a person’s body and brain. Prolonged stress can even impact the next generation because it changes baby’s body and brain. Babies need safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments in which to thrive. Give your baby regular healthcare, including prenatal care during your pregnancy, and surround them with family support and community engagement can help protect them from the long-term effects of ACEs.
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