The mother's touch to the baby is important for growth and development

Touch is a simple way for mothers to communicate with their babies, even from the time the baby is not born. Your baby's sense of touch begins to develop at 7 to 8 weeks of gestation. Therefore, mother's touch is the baby's first language.

Touch is a form of mother's love for the baby that she has been dying for for a long time. So it is not surprising that when a baby is born, a mother will rush to touch her baby affectionately.

Apart from that, it turns out that a mother's touch to her baby has various benefits for the health, growth and development of her baby. How can? Check out the answer below.

The first skin-to-skin touch of the mother to the baby

The touch of the mother's skin and the baby's skin for the first time occurs during the Early Initiation of Breastfeeding (IMD). During the IMD, the newborn is placed prone on the mother's chest with the baby's skin adhering to the mother's skin. Then, the mother will wrap the baby in a warm cloth, and hug and caress the baby with great affection.

This process should take at least an hour. Apart from being able to facilitate the IMD process, a study shows that skin contact can improve oxygen levels in babies, reduce crying, improve the quality of sleep and breast milk for babies, and regulate blood pressure and maternal hormone levels.

The magic of the mother's touch to the baby

Not only when you meet your baby for the first time, your mother's touch can provide benefits that are certainly a pity to miss. Well, here's the explanation.

1. Bonds with babies

Babies who often get touch from their parents will quickly recognize who their mother and father are. The reason is, babies can distinguish each type of touch by the people who care for them.

2. Mother and baby communication

For newborns, skin contact between mother and baby is an important part of bonding and communication. Touch can help babies communicate their needs and wants, interact with others, and explore the sources of touch and their environment.

That is why, when the baby is placed on the mother's breast, it will use its mouth to find the nipple to stick to and drink the milk.

3. Soothe the baby

Gentle touch is one of the best ways to soothe a baby. So, if your baby is restless or crying, you can calm him down by gently stroking his back. Babies will always love to be around you because they feel the warmth, smell and feel of your body.

4. Stimulate mental development of the baby

A study conducted by Theodore Wacks found that babies who received more direct touch from their mothers tended to have better psychological development during the first six months of life.

5. Affects cognitive abilities

The study conducted by dr. Stiffany Field found that babies who get the touch of mothers and fathers tend to have faster cognitive development, including the ability to think, remember, and language; so that it can optimize the child's psychological, behavioral, and social development.

Massage the baby as a form of touch from the mother to the baby

One form of touch stimulation to babies can be done with massage activities. Baby massage is usually done by the mother when she is done bathing the baby. Here are some of the benefits of baby massage as a form of mother's touch to the baby.