Is more better? How long to hold babies during the first six months?
Babies in America and Europe are typically held about 2 hours a day by their mothers/ caretakers. In the rest of the world babies are held double the time — about 4 hours a day.
Studies show that babies that are held more — cry less and sooth faster at six months of age. About 45% less crying. So, the old adage “you cannot spoil a baby by rocking and touch” still applies.
Some data from mice studies backs this up: Mice typically lick and groom their babies while they nurse. They wean their babies at 21 days. In one study, mice were removed from their mothers at day 10 through day 16 and then returned to their mothers. The six day away they were in a warm incubator and fed. But no touch, grooming or cuddle time with their mommy mice. Those mice grew up to be quite disturbed adult mice.
In another study each baby mouse was touched lightly on its head by a human. That caused the mommy mice to lick and lick and do extra grooming of their babies (to remove the smell of a human being). Those mice, given substantially extra physical contact and touch, grew up to be extraordinary resilient to stress. So more touch increased resilience to stress.
So maybe the rest of the world — which typically gives 4 hours a day of touch and contact to babies — has got it right.
You cannot touch your babies (nicely) too much.
How to do it in America with both parents working? Dads need to be involved: dads need to get the baby and care for the baby after feeding. And make arrangements so mom gets a nap during the day.
And bring in aunts, grandmothers and friends to help holding the baby. And do include lullabies … “Hush little baby, don’t you cry… papa gonna buy you a mockingbird….”
DrCameronJackson@gmail.com
