Babies Need touch

Around the age of 5-6 weeks babies can have bouts of unsoothable crying, for no identifiable reason. Fortunately, these types of crying bouts usually settle right down by 4 months of age.

But there is good news, that can guide parents in managing for this.

A large research study of parenting styles between the UK and Sweden, has found that around 10 hours of touch across a 24-hour day is associated with less crying, compared to being held for longer or being held for less. This includes all reasons for touch and holding - such as nappy changes, bathing, feeding and carrying while out and about.

You do not have to be holding your baby in your arms constantly throughout the day, feeling unable to put her down. And conversely, if you have adopted a pattern of trying to get your baby into a routine where she must settle herself after her feeds, you might like to think about relaxing this approach to include more closeness with you.

Skin to skin holding of your baby, where she relaxes into a deep and contented space with the rhythms of your heart and breathing below her, reduces her stress cortisol levels, boosts her immunity and contributes to the laying down of healthy neuro-circuitry in the brain. A baby tends to grow out of skin to skin contact by 2- 3 months when the world around them is just too interesting to lie still. But it is something that both parents can do, and it has a positive effect on calming your baby and dialing down her nervous system.

The newborn period is a time of intense neuro-plasticity where millions of neural circuits are being laid down and connections are being formed within areas of the brain. Letting your baby have a sleep on your chest or in your arms is deeply nourishing, but it doesn't have to be all day. You decide the balance.

Your baby's brain is growing the most when he is in a deep sleep.