The baby’s first experience with their environment occurs through the sense of touch, a sense that is developed around the 16th week of the fetus during pregnancy. Touch is crucial in the baby’s growth and development be it physically, socially, cognitive development, verbal and socio-emotional one. Touch not only stimulates the baby’s development immediately but it also has long term effects which tells a lot about the power of positive and soft touch, since birth. Through physical touch, newborns learn about the world around them, they can bond with their mom (and/or primary caregiver), and they can communicate their needs as well. We now know that 80% of baby’s communication is conducting through gestures and physical cues. When parents use touch in the appropriate way, young kids have higher chances of being successfully developed in all social, emotional, and intellectual areas.  

Physical touch and its vital importance

Research shows that the lack of adequate physical touch during the first few years of life significantly slows down a baby’s development. While most studies available look at the importance of physical touch and the benefits it yields especially for premature babies, we cannot deny the positive aspects and the amazing benefits it brings to babies born in term as well. In fact, babies whose moms practice physical contact more, show more advancement in their cognitive, psycho-social and motor development compared to babies who don’t receive enough adequate physical contact. Long term studies even show that this increase carries through the first 8 years of a kid’s life. 

Very often we moms hear things like “don’t carry them too much, you will regret it” “oh, too many hugs and too much attention will spoil them”. The truth is – you can’t spoil a baby! Less so with physical touch and tender care. Babies who receive more than the average comfort and care from their primary caregivers show significantly lower levels of anxiety, emotional distress, and are better equipped to manage their emotions. 

On the other hand, the lack of such physical contact and touch, it’s also very powerful but with negative consequences. Infants who lack physical contact have shown to develop and grow more slowly in skills and abilities in the long run, and have issues with aggressive behavior as adults. 

Thus mama please follow your instincts and do not feel guilty at all if someone says “you are spoiling your kid”, all you are doing is responding to their need. Do not hold back on tender touch, hugs, kisses, comfort touch, all of your presence … not only are you making your baby a lot happier, but you are investing in their long term development.  

 

Touch as a form of communication

Not only does physical touch directly affect a baby’s development but also serves as a main communication form for them. Through touch we can let our baby know that we are there for them, we can comfort them and calm them, we tell them that they are being listened to. As adults we love being listened to, we need it… you know what? Babies love it as well!  

Physical contact shows babies that you want to bond with them, it tells them that you are their safe place, which is why babies calm almost immediately when you hold them and/or practice skin to skin. Do you know that through touch and skin to skin both in mom’s brain and in the baby’s brain oxytocin is released? Oxytocin is known to be the bonding hormone. Not only does it make both mom and baby feel very good, but it assists in milk production, and it strongly and positively affects the socio-emotional development of the baby in the long run.   

Did you know that moms can recognize their baby through touch after they are born? And not only this, but physical touch helps mom normalize and balance their hormonal levels, thus lowering the risk for postpartum depression.  

So mama go on kiss, hug, comfort, and hold your baby 24/7 if you can, and if someone says something – tell them that you are setting  your baby up for success and getting them ready for Harvard 😉 

Since we are talking about physical contact many hugs for you mamas! Much love!  

 

References:
Stanford Medicine (2013). The benefits of touch for babies, parents.
Ardiel E. (MSc) & Rankin C. (PhD). (2010) The importance of touch in development. Paediatr Child Health Journal.