Physical contact is necessary for babies to develop emotional wellbeing and a healthy sense of self.
A century ago, scientists thought that a baby's sole purpose in acting was to obtain food. It was therefore thought unnecessary to give children hugs and hold them in your arms. Later on, though, it became clear that was completely wrong.
In the 1940s, psychoanalyst Rene Spitz noticed that orphaned infants in orphanages suffered from poor appetite and weight loss, despite being fed regularly. After three months of emotional isolation, the children became depressed, experiencing sleep disturbances and a lack of responsiveness to others [1].
In the 1950s, psychologist Harry Harlow's experiments supported Spitz's findings that infants value touch [2]. Harlow gave rhesus macaque cubs two surrogate mothers. One had a milk bottle and was made of wood and wire. The other was cuddly but bottleless. The monkeys consistently gravitated toward the cloth "mother."
Why does touching matter?
Fortunately, similar experiments on children are illegal. But scientists believe human babies would also choose their mother's warmth over food. Touching someone you love is the best stress reliever.
Children release oxytocin, the love and happiness hormone, when picked up and cared for [3]. Oxytocin calms fear and anxiety centers in the brain. Thus, the baby sleeps better, cries less, grows faster, and develops harmoniously [4]. It has been shown that frequently nursed children speak faster and form stronger bonds [4].
How long does the baby need constant touch?
The longer, the better. But the first weeks are key. At this point, the baby must release lots of oxytocin. If so, their body will produce enough of later on. Thus, the child will be better prepared to handle emotional issues in the future [5].
Do mothers benefit from holding their children?
Yes! The mother also releases oxytocin, which makes her happier and calmer [6].
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