After the euphoria surrounding a birth it is sometimes difficult to remember what it was like holding a new born baby for the first time. In societies other than our own touch has been recognised for centuries as being of vital importance in establishing a bond between parents and their young babies.
Many babies around the world are in constant contact with their mothers, nestled against their bodies in home made shawls and slings.
Its not surprising that touch should play such an important part in the first weeks and months of a baby's development. After all for nine months the baby has been used to constant contact through hearing the mother's heartbeat and voice, and by being gently rocked and cradled in the womb.
In western countries its become all too easy to forget the importance of touch given the very real pressures and demands of parenthood.
The huge choice of baby accessories on the market such as bouncy chairs and swings can create missed opportunities for parents and babies to share the experience of touch more frequently.
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