It’s a common myth that holding your baby excessively can lead to them becoming clingy or overly dependent. In reality, newborns thrive on closeness, and there’s no such thing as too many cuddles. Those tiny, squishy beings are designed to be snuggled—after all, who can resist that irresistible baby scent? Thankfully, research supports the importance of physical affection in a child’s early development.
A study published in Current Biology highlights that frequent touch is essential for a baby’s growth, leaving lasting impressions on their brain. Early tactile experiences significantly influence how children respond to touch later in life, which is particularly crucial for premature infants. Dr. Lucas Hargrove, involved in the research, stated, “More exposure to nurturing touch can fundamentally shape how the brain interprets touch, a vital sense for learning and emotional connections.”
This study, conducted at a prominent children’s hospital, examined 125 infants, both preterm (born at 24 to 36 weeks) and full-term (born at 38 to 42 weeks). Researchers tested the babies’ responses to gentle puffs of air, finding that preterm infants who received more gentle contact from their caregivers demonstrated a stronger response to touch than those who did not. Moreover, infants who had undergone painful medical procedures showed a diminished response to gentle touch in later life. “It’s surprising that the impact of painful experiences extends beyond pain processing to touch perception,” Hargrove remarked.
The study concluded that nurturing touch is vital for all newborns, especially those born prematurely, as it lays the groundwork for cognitive, communicative, and behavioral skills in the future. So, embrace those snuggles while you can—your little ones won’t be this small forever! If I could find a way to carry my five-year-old around in a sling, I would definitely consider it. He is my last child, after all, and I wouldn’t hesitate to strap him to me!
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In summary, holding your baby as much as you can is not only acceptable but beneficial for their development. So, go ahead and indulge in all those precious snuggles—they’re truly invaluable.