Author: Mickaylah O’Donoghue
As an occupational therapist and a new mum, I am constantly reminded of the importance of touch and connection in fostering a child’s development.
The early months of a baby’s life are a critical period for building the foundation of trust, security, and emotional well-being, and our tactile system plays a pivotal role in this process.
From the moment your baby is born, physical contact becomes one of the primary ways they experience and understand the world.
Skin-to-skin contact, often initiated immediately after birth, helps regulate a baby’s body temperature, heart rate, and stress levels. This intimate connection also encourages the release of oxytocin, often referred to as the “love hormone,” which promotes bonding between you and your baby.
Day-to-day life with your little one can be messy and hectic. However, simple acts like holding, cuddling, and gentle rocking can have profound effects on your baby’s sense of security.
Your daily routines can offer many opportunities for this to occur naturally without needing to actively think about it, such as during nappy changes, changing clothing, and during feeding. These interactions are not only comforting, but also stimulate brain development by activating neural pathways associated with sensory and emotional processing.
If you are looking for other ways to stimulate your baby’s tactile system, then try these activities:
- Baby massage: Gently stroking your child’s skin at bath time while incorporating lots of eye contact and singing for further bonding. Massage is a wonderful way to enhance your baby’s physical and emotional well-being. Infant massage has been shown to improve sleep patterns, reduce fussiness, and even boost the immune system
- Tummy time play: Removing your little one’s clothing during tummy time and laying them on different surfaces can help them explore textures all over their skin, stimulating more touch receptors
- Outdoor exploration: Explore different textures outside with your little one. Place them on the grass, brush different leaves with their hands, and explore the roughness of the concrete. All of these can help expand your baby’s brain development