{"id":23390,"date":"2024-01-30T18:04:24","date_gmt":"2024-01-30T17:04:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/babywellnessfoundation.org\/news-approfondimenti\/accudimento-del-neonato-il-bisogno-di-amore-contatto-e-presenza\/"},"modified":"2026-01-07T10:01:40","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T09:01:40","slug":"caring-for-the-newborn-the-need-for-love-contact-and-presence","status":"publish","type":"news-approfondimenti","link":"https:\/\/babywellnessfoundation.org\/en\/news-approfondimenti\/caring-for-the-newborn-the-need-for-love-contact-and-presence\/","title":{"rendered":"Caring for the newborn: the need for love, contact, and presence"},"content":{"rendered":"

From the very first moments of life, the newborn has a deep and primary need: to feel welcomed, protected and loved by those who take care of them, primarily the mother. This bond, as essential as it is delicate, is the foundation of the child\u2019s physical, emotional and relational development. In the early years, in fact, the baby\u2019s survival depends entirely on their caregivers. It is within this context that the concept of imprinting<\/strong> is born: a brief but unrepeatable phase that lays the groundwork for a deep emotional bond.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The role of caregiving<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n

Caring for a newborn means responding consistently, lovingly and intuitively to their needs<\/strong>. The child recognizes in their caregiver a secure base<\/strong>, a reference point from which to explore the world and to which they can return to feel safe. This emotional security fuels their curiosity, self-regulation skills and, later, trust in relationships. Talking to the baby, caressing them, massaging them and making eye contact are gestures that create a silent yet powerful dialogue. The more the child experiences this connection, the more capable they will be of facing life with calm and confidence.<\/p>\n

Bonding: a bond that begins before birth<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n

The bond between mother and baby begins during pregnancy (prenatal bonding<\/strong>) and strengthens in the first months after birth (postnatal bonding<\/strong>). This early relationship shapes an \u201cemotional map\u201d in the newborn\u2019s mind that will guide their future ways of relating. Bonding helps parents better understand the baby\u2019s signals and welcome them with love, protection and warmth.<\/p>\n

Breast Crawl: the first climb of life<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n

Immediately after birth, if left undisturbed on the mother\u2019s bare belly, the newborn performs an instinctive act: they move, with small movements, toward the breast. This action, called Breast Crawl<\/strong>, is an innate ability<\/strong> that leads the baby to independently find the nipple and begin suckling. An extraordinary moment that marks the beginning of breastfeeding and strengthens the mother-child bond.<\/p>\n

The primary need for contact<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n

Physical contact is a primary and innate need for the newborn, serving as an essential channel for knowledge, interaction and survival<\/strong>. During the first year of life, the child develops a meaningful attachment bond with their primary caregiver, through which they communicate their needs and begin to build the foundations of social and emotional skills.
\nThe interaction between parent and newborn can be considered a true \u201crelational dance<\/strong>\u201d that begins during pregnancy, intensifies after birth and consolidates in the following months. At the heart of this relationship is physical contact, especially that mediated by touch\u2014the first sense to develop in the human embryo and the most extensive sensory organ of the body. The skin<\/strong> is<\/strong>, in fact, the newborn\u2019s first communication tool<\/strong> as well as a highly sensitive protective barrier.<\/p>\n

Affectionate touch serves at least three essential functions:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • It gives the newborn a sense of safety and protection;<\/li>\n
  • It aids emotional regulation, helping to reduce distress and promote calm states;<\/li>\n
  • It represents a stable and reliable foundation for their emotional and relational development.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Touch and neurohormonal regulation<\/strong><\/span>
    \nDuring physical interactions\u2014such as infant massage\u2014key neurohormonal circuits<\/strong> are activated. Touch stimulates the production of endorphins<\/strong> and serotonin<\/strong> in both individuals. In the mother, oxytocin<\/strong> (the bonding hormone) increases, facilitating emotional connection and post-partum recovery, along with prolactin, which promotes lactation and caregiving motivation. These hormones help lower stress levels and support psychophysical well-being<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Concepts such as holding<\/strong> (physical containment) and handling<\/strong> (affectionate handling) describe the ways a newborn is held and touched. These seemingly simple gestures contribute to the development of the baby\u2019s body awareness and reinforce their sense of self.<\/p>\n

    Multisensory communication: sight, hearing and smell<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Sight<\/strong>, even in the first weeks of life, is a powerful tool of emotional communication. Through eye contact, the parent can interpret the baby\u2019s signals and respond empathetically, conveying safety and recognition.
    \nHearing<\/strong> and smell<\/strong> also play a key role in early bonding. From intrauterine life, the baby recognizes the mother\u2019s voice, heartbeat and scent. These familiar stimuli\u2014reintroduced during massage or daily care through voice tone, singing or unscented products\u2014help soothe the baby and strengthen the emotional bond.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Skin-to-skin: the power of physical closeness<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n

    Skin-to-skin contact<\/strong> is a vital clinical practice that fosters early emotional bonding between mother and newborn<\/strong>. Right after birth, when the mother can remain undisturbed with her baby, the simple act of holding them, placing them on her bare chest, speaking to them and making eye contact marks the beginning of an intimate, deeply regulating relationship for both.
    \nThis early interaction brings significant physiological, emotional and hormonal benefits<\/strong> for both mother and baby. In that safe and protected space, the mother experiences reduced pain and fatigue, while the newborn appears calmer, more alert and more ready to initiate spontaneous breastfeeding.<\/p>\n

    Numerous scientific studies confirm the positive effects<\/strong> of skin-to-skin contact, including:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Soothes the newborn;<\/li>\n
    • Stabilizes heartbeat and breathing;<\/li>\n
    • Improves thermoregulation;<\/li>\n
    • Reduces the risk of hypoglycemia;<\/li>\n
    • Encourages breastfeeding;<\/li>\n
    • Strengthens the immune system;<\/li>\n
    • Reduces crying;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      The mother also benefits: reduced stress, quicker recovery, increased milk production, higher levels of oxytocin (\u201clove hormone\u201d) and prolactin. When the mother is unavailable, the father can offer this precious contact as well.<\/p>\n

      Rooming-in: growing together from day one<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n

      Rooming-in<\/strong> means mother and baby stay together 24 hours a day from birth. This approach allows bonding to continue naturally and constantly<\/strong>. It promotes breastfeeding, reduces stress for both mother and child, and helps prevent infections, feeding issues and complications such as cracked nipples or mastitis.
      \nMothers who experience rooming-in tend to touch, talk to and observe their babies more<\/strong>, building a deep and conscious connection from the very beginning. That\u2019s why rooming-in should be actively promoted in all healthcare facilities, accompanied by proper information and support.<\/p>\n

      Breastfeeding: nourishment and relationship<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n

      Breastfeeding is not just about nutrition\u2014it\u2019s communication, love and protection. During feeding, the baby rediscovers the sensations experienced in the womb<\/strong>: heartbeat, voice, the mother\u2019s warmth. It\u2019s a full sensory experience that makes them feel loved and safe.
      \nBreast milk is the best possible food<\/strong> for a newborn: rich in nutrients, antibodies, hormones and bioactive substances that strengthen the gut microbiome, support brain development and protect against acute and chronic diseases. For the mother, breastfeeding lowers the risk of certain illnesses and supports postpartum recovery.<\/p>\n

      \"\"<\/h3>\n

      Caring for a newborn means much more than meeting physical needs. It means being present\u2014touching, listening, watching, loving<\/strong>. The mother\u2019s contact, gaze, voice and scent become essential tools in building security, affection and trust. Every daily gesture, when done with love and awareness, helps create a strong, secure and lasting bond\u2014one that will accompany the child throughout life.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      From the very first moments of life, the newborn has a deep and primary need: to feel welcomed, protected and loved by those who take care of them, primarily the mother. This bond, as essential as it is delicate, is the foundation of the child\u2019s physical, emotional and relational development. In the early years, in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":23392,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"focus-approfondimento":[885],"focus-appartenenza":[896],"coauthors":[110],"class_list":["post-23390","news-approfondimenti","type-news-approfondimenti","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","focus-approfondimento-return-home","focus-appartenenza-cura-e-attenzioni-amorevoli-en"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nCaring for the newborn: the need for love, contact, and presence - Baby Wellness Foundation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/babywellnessfoundation.org\/en\/news-approfondimenti\/caring-for-the-newborn-the-need-for-love-contact-and-presence\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Caring for the newborn: the need for love, contact, and presence - Baby Wellness Foundation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"From the very first moments of life, the newborn has a deep and primary need: to feel welcomed, protected and loved by those who take care of them, primarily the mother. 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