April Digital Sampler - Mother&Baby

Baby&Toddler
Hold on!
New research has revealed that simply holding your baby can
change his genes for the better. Time to snuggle up…
As mums, we all want to give our
babies the best start in life.
And all this striving to be
the best mums we can
be can get tiring!
Great then, that
you can now simply snuggle up
on the sofa with your little one,
and know you’re being a damn
good mum. Because you can
boost your baby’s development
and health, and even impact his
genes, by simply giving him a
cuddle. Remarkable new research
from the University of British
Columbia in Canada has revealed that
the amount of physical contact babies
receive can affect them at a molecular level,
and these beneficial effects can last for years.
The study of 94 babies looked at how
cells function and mature in ‘high-contact’
While you’re both
snuggled up close, just
think about this: you’re holding
your baby, and stimulating his
pressure receptors. This is
increasing the activity of one of the
largest nerves in his body – the vagus
nerve – which is slowing down
his heart rate and reducing
his blood pressure. And
this relaxes his brain
and body.
youngsters who were cuddled and held a
lot, and in ‘low-contact’ babies. And the
result? Although the scientists say more
research is needed, it seems that close
contact and cuddles somehow
changes your baby’s body at a
genetic level, and help with his
biological development. ‘This
study looks at how you can
leave traces on a baby’s genes
by stimulating the pressure
receptors under his skin,’ explains
professor Tiffany Field, director
of the Touch Research Institute in
Miami. ‘Touch affects your baby’s
brain waves and immune system, so as
parents, it’s a good thing to hold him as
much as you can.’ So ditch the mum-guilt
that quietly nags you to get out and do more
with your baby, and discover all the lovely
ways that simply having close body contact
with him can set him up for life.
‘When Eyla was
small, we’d spend cold
autumn mornings cuddled up
in bed and I’d take selfies and
make videos of her gurgling at
me so I could share these moments
with her grannies and grandpas
who live South Africa.'
Dee Drysdale, 37, from
Stirlingshire, is mum to
Eyla, 17 months
MEET THE
EXPERT
Dr Tiffany Field is
the director of the
Touch Research
Institute, which
is dedicated to
studying the effects
of touch therapy, in
the department of
paediatrics at the
University of Miami
School of Medicine
CHEST-TO-CHEST
You’re probably relishing those early cuddles,
but the way you hold your baby can make
a difference, especially in those first few
months. ‘The best way to hold your baby
is with his chest to your chest,’ says Tiffany.
‘A study carried out when babies were
vaccinated at two months found that the
youngsters held chest-to-chest cried less and
were less irritable than those held with their
back to their parent’s chest. You’re able to
provide more support and pressure to your
baby’s whole body in this position.’
And this gentle pressure, which you’ll be
applying without even realising when you’re
holding your baby, is absolutely vital for his
motherandbaby.co.uk | April 2018 | 41