| Being touched is an essential part of the bonding | | | | Talk in a low, gentle voice or sing a song quietly. |
| process that helps young creatures to thrive. | | | | * |
| Premature babies gain more weigh on lamb's-wool | | | | Although massaging your baby's skin directly is best, |
| blankets than cotton ones because it feels as if they're | | | | many younger babies don't like being undressed. If your |
| being stroked when they move, and they feel | | | | baby is one of these, dress him in a cotton T-shirt or |
| contented. | | | | similar garment, through which you can easily feel his |
| The Importance Of Touch | | | | body. |
| Your baby is born sociable, and he craves physical | | | | * |
| affection. This is best communicated through touch, | | | | Work around his body, massaging both sides with |
| cuddles, being gently held, kissed, and nuzzled. It's | | | | slow, even strokes. Keep your face close to your |
| important, there fore, that you're both completely free | | | | baby's and look in to his eyes as you massage him. |
| with your physical affection from the start. Your baby | | | | This is very powerful for both of you. |
| longs to be close to you and to be carried, and he will | | | | Physical Affection |
| cry less and be more easily comforted if you carry | | | | As children grow up, they need the reassuring and |
| him. Remember also that being, carried in a baby sling; | | | | loving embrace of caring parents more, not less as |
| close to your body feels like being cuddled to a baby, | | | | some parents may think. They should be encouraged |
| and allows you to do other things at the same time. | | | | to express their emotions boys just as much as girls. |
| Small babies are much stronger than you think, so be | | | | Indeed, a child's ability to achieve some kind of |
| firm, but avoid sudden jerky movements your baby | | | | emotional stability is more or less determined before |
| may think he's falling, and he'll be startled rather than | | | | the age of 12 months a sobering thought, but |
| comforted. As your baby gets older, you can be more | | | | nonetheless true. |
| robust with him, he'll enjoy tickling and rolling around on | | | | Emotional Feedback |
| the floor with you, but don't over do it if he becomes at | | | | A child learns to master his emotions by getting |
| all distressed, and don't blame him if he pulls your hair | | | | sympathetic feedback from adults that mirrors the |
| or scratches you under a year old, he won't know that | | | | emotions he's feeling. If your baby holds out a hurt |
| it hurts. | | | | hand, what helps most as any parent knows is lots of |
| Massage Tips | | | | sympathy, kissing better, and cuddles. A child doesn't |
| Babies love massage as much as you do. it's a nice | | | | grow out of the need for physical affection because |
| way to calm an unsettled baby because it feels good | | | | these positive signs of parents' care are necessary |
| to him. It's also an expression of love and your baby | | | | for emotional growth. If you deprive a child of physical |
| knows it, and has the added advantage of relaxing | | | | affection, you deprive him of an essential growth |
| you too. Always prepare yourself carefully for | | | | vitamin. |
| massage. | | | | Your Baby Needs You Both |
| * | | | | This applies equally to both parents, and continues |
| Make sure the room is really warm. Lay your baby on | | | | throughout babyhood, childhood, and in some cases, in |
| a soft blanket or towel. | | | | to adolescence. Nothing should be allowed to |
| * | | | | discourage loving parents both mothers and fathers |
| Play his favorite music or a recording of a heartbeat. | | | | from doing what their child needs them to do. |