Love and affection are essential to a child's healthy brain development. A child's feelings about themselves, how confident they are and how well they cope with stress, are all affected by the way their parents respond to them.
Touch is essential for human survival; babies who are deprived of touch can fail to thrive, lose weight and even die. Babies and young children who do not get touched also have lower levels of growth hormone, so a lack of touch can actually stunt a child's growth.
The brain development of infants (as well as their social, emotional and cognitive development) depends on a loving bond or attachment relationship with a primary caregiver, usually a parent.
The first 24 months is crucial in that it is during this time the building and shaping of this part of the brain sets the child up for life. If an infant is born into an environment lacking in love, emotional warmth, and responsiveness, the growth of its brain is hugely affected.
Many children who have not had ample physical and emotional attention are at higher risk for behavioral, emotional and social problems as they grow up. These trends point to the lasting effects of early infancy environments and the changes that the brain undergoes during that period.
On the other hand, children who do not have affectionate parents tend to have lower self esteem and to feel more alienated, hostile, aggressive, and anti-social. There have been a number of recent studies that highlight the relationship between parental affection and children's happiness and success.
“Love is a biological necessity. We cannot live without it,” she says. “And that's hard to say for someone who lost their best friend, their soul mate, and the love of their life. But I realised that love does not have to be with the person who is physically here with you.
Love and affection are essential to a child's healthy brain development. A child's feelings about themselves, how confident they are and how well they cope with stress, are all affected by the way their parents respond to them.
By two months, most babies will look happy to see you, and they'll smile when you talk to them. For many parents, those smiles are a heartwarming first glimpse of true affection. By four months, your baby will be smiling unprompted, hoping to catch your attention with a little “I love you” from across the room.
In addition to needing love, babies need to feel safe. They depend on adults to keep them safe; they can only let you know how they are feeling through laughing or crying. If they get a quick response to the emotion that they are displaying it can have a positive effect on their emotional development.
Do Babies Feel Love? In short, yes: Babies do feel love. Even though it will be quite a while before they're able to verbalize their feelings, they can and do understand emotional attachment.
Bonding also promotes the development of connections between brain cells that are critical for learning; the growth of your baby's body; and the positive development of your baby's sense of who they are and how they deal with feeling upset. Newborns don't know what they need.
As well as physical needs, infants (0- 3 years olds) have basic emotional needs.
Children brought up in a hug-free home may struggle to identify their own feelings and those of others. They may have trouble forming relationships later in life.
According to research, “skin hunger” and lack of love can lead to greater anxiety and similar mood disorders. It's been reported that many begin to suffer with Alexithymia — a condition impairing the ability to interpret and express emotion.
This week Miss Boever delivered a very provocative talk about what has become known as the “Forbidden Experiment.” This is an experiment which involves taking a newborn baby from birth and locking it in a room, denying the child any form of human communication or interaction.
By 4 to 6 months, they will turn to you and expect you to respond when upset. By 7 or 8 months, they will have a special response just for you (they may also be upset by strangers). Your baby may also start to respond to your stress, anger or sadness.
You cannot cuddle your baby too much. In fact, there are loads of benefits to cuddling your baby. Science tells us that cuddles strengthen the bond between parent and baby. When you cuddle your baby, the cuddle chemical, oxytocin, floods the brain.
Bonding through cuddling, contact and facial expression
Cuddle your baby close to the left side of your chest so your baby can hear your heartbeat. This is good for bonding with newborns, because it helps them feel safe. Skin-on-skin contact, like baby massage, can help your baby feel secure.
Babies want, even crave the experience of being held, and adults are generally thrilled to oblige.
Whether you haven't felt love yet, have lost love for a partner, or identify as aromantic or asexual, not feeling love can be normal and healthy. Your motions may not be in your control and judging yourself for not feeling something can be counterproductive. There is nothing wrong with you.
“Love is a biological necessity—it's as needed for our well-being as exercise, water, and food,” said neuroscientist Stephanie Cacioppo, PhD, author of Wired for Love: A Neuroscientist's Journey Through Romance, Loss, and the Essence of Human Connection (Macmillan, 2022).
According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, the five basic needs are physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.