That touch has a soothing effect will probably come as no surprise to anyone. Especially babies enjoy cuddles and touch all around. However, the fact that this goes so far that a baby's perception of pain can be alleviated through pure touch is likely to be new to many. The rhythm and speed of the touch play a decisive role in this.
Gentle stroking against the perception of pain
Gentle touch and slow stroking are not only soothing, but have a direct influence on the perception of pain in newborns and babies. This was the result of a study at the University of Oxford, in which more than 60 newborns were examined in relation to the effects of stroking. In this study, brain activity was measured while a blood sample was taken from the babies' heels. In those children who were stroked slowly and gently with a soft brush, the brain activity was significantly lower than in the control group, which received no stroking at all during the blood collection. Furthermore, another group of babies was stroked very quickly. Here, the measured brain activity even indicated an increased perception of pain.
The pain-relieving effect of gentle, slow stroking was actually as great as the application of external anesthetics, for example local anesthetic gels or creams. And this could even be read from the facial expressions of the "poked" ones: In the slowly stroked group, the grimace – i.e., the pain-distorted face – was significantly less pronounced than in the other groups.
The researchers explained this phenomenon by the fact that stroking activates a certain group of nerve fibers in the skin, which, however, only works at a slow speed, but not if the stroking is too fast or too hectic.
The scientists also made another interesting observation: Parents stroke their child intuitively at exactly the right pace – three centimeters per second.
This study provides scientific evidence for the first time that stroking not only has a calming, but even a pain-relieving effect on babies.
Healing hands
Touch and stroking have always been part of parents' intuitive first-aid kit. Children's pain was stroked away almost as if by magic. The fact that this "inner knowledge" is now receiving scientific validation supports parents. From now on, they can stroke their children in the knowledge that they are not only increasing their child's well-being, but are even administering a kind of natural painkiller – without any side effects! Furthermore, knowledge of the specific analgesic effect can lead to parents using this remedy more purposefully. Especially for parents of babies who cry a lot, this can be a true blessing.
Of course, not all pain can be resolved by stroking. In addition, knowledge of the pain-relieving and comforting effect of stroking should not lead to trying to treat obviously more serious complaints in this way. But at least we now know that targeted, slow stroking provides measurable relief for minor owies and aches. This does not mean, however, that cuddles cannot be given in almost every situation – for comforting and pampering and simply for loving. Because there is no overdose when it comes to stroking.
The team at swing2sleep wishes you infinitely many beautiful hours of stroking and cuddling.
