The Power of Touch

We talk a lot about the importance of #babywearing for infants but they are only one half of the relationship. Adults also benefit from carrying children close.

Touch is important beyond infancy. Adults need loving touch and skin contact as well.

"Touch starvation" has been recognised as one impact of social distancing and isolation in the time of covid-19. Lack of touch can increase stress, anxiety and depression. The removal of casual touch in day-to-day life and intentional touch in relationships has added to the mental health impact of restrictions to reduce community transmission. For those living in aged care, disability care or being treated in hospital, touch has been limited to the absolutely necessary and comes from gloved hands. Skin to skin contact has almost disappeared from some lives.

Parent-child touch is important for bonding and maintaining healthy connection between adults and children in their care. From hugs when reunited at the end of the working day to bathing and cuddles at bedtime, oxytocin release creates positive, caring feelings while reducing the effects of stress hormones like cortisol.

Babywearing is a great way for parents who are separated from their children through work or study outside the home to reconnect and transition back into their caring role. A quick walk before dinner benefits parents and children and can also support a parent feeling the opposite - touched-out by being the primary caregiver whose "touch bucket" may have been filled by breakfast!