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What is haptonomy
From the first weeks of pregnancy, haptonomy teaches parents how to communicate with their baby. This specific practice does not really prepare the pregnant woman to deal with the pain of the contractions on D-Day! The interest is elsewhere … Haptonomy rather leads the father and mother to visualize their baby and to forge a tender and complicit relationship with him. This “science of affectivity” is essentially based on touch, one of the first senses that the fetus develops. By caressing the belly of the future mother, parents learn to move their child, to rock him. By observing his reactions, it is already possible to get an idea of the character of his offspring (he is curious, naughty, lively…)! At the end of pregnancy, the future dad also memorizes actions that will relieve, in particular, the mother’s back pain during childbirth.
The benefits of haptonomy for the baby
Thanks to specific caresses, parents come into contact with their child. They gradually discover what he likes and what he needs. They can even play with it, because the baby quickly understands: it snuggles up just under their hands then moves, rolls up, antics. Instead of remaining isolated in his bubble, he takes pleasure in living and sharing. The attentions paid to the child during the haptonomy sessions offer him great emotional security. He will become, later, a small being autonomous, confident and fulfilled! Birth is generally more peaceful if the mother has taken haptonomy sessions. The newborn discovers the world surrounded by heat, the smell of his mother’s body. he immediately recognizes her voice. The paternal presence reassures him, especially if it is he who does the skin to skin, in case of cesarean section for example. Babies who have benefited from haptonomic support most often show an openness to the world full of serenity.
“I tested haptonomy”: the testimony of Christelle
“Haptonomy is not just preparation for birth, it is a very strong bond of love between parents and child, which builds the family trio. It is also a formidable prevention with the tensions and doubts of the pregnancy. With Mathieu, my husband, it helped us to project ourselves into the meeting with our child ”
At what stage of pregnancy to start haptonomy?
Haptonomy sessions can start early in pregnancy. But it is not until the 4th month, when you start to perceive the movements of the baby, that you will be able to really interact with him. Don’t wait too long before starting the haptonomic process: after the 7th month, it’s too late! It takes time to learn this method.
To know : in theory, haptonomy becomes irrelevant if you practice other types of birth preparations (yoga, sophrology, breathing techniques, etc.) à côté. These methods consist in focusing on yourself and on your body, while the haptonomic approach requires you to open up completely to your baby and companion. There is therefore incompatibility! Instead, indulge in prenatal singing, swimming or dancing.
Haptonomy: how are the sessions going?
Haptonomy is rarely practiced in group lessons. The couple are generally alone with the midwife or the doctor, in order to preserve the privacy of “meetings” with the baby. Social Security will reimburse you for 7 haptonomy sessions (excluding excess), as part of preparation for childbirth, provided that they are provided by a doctor or a midwife. Only a few maternity hospitals offer pregnancy support and haptonomic deliveries. Find out more when registering. Otherwise, you can still take haptonomy courses in a private practice.
What is haptonomy after birth?
Most of the time, a specific session is offered to the mother after childbirth. The goal? Help the woman to regain a feeling of security vis-à-vis her body and accompany him in this totally new situation of the birth of a child. It’s also a good way to prevent baby blues. More pragmatically, this session also aims to help the mother during the period of the aftermath. The following sessions are often devoted to daily actions around the baby. How to carry your child? Help him become aware of his body? Overcome newborn colic? The idea is also to help the baby find his bearings before birth in order to ensure continuity and above all to secure him in the face of this new world. Haptonomy sessions can continue beyond until your toddler’s first steps.