In animal models, pups who receive the most touch—the most licking, grooming, nursing, and cuddling from their mothers—grow the most resilience in every part of the stress brain. In human studies, the same results have been found in babies who receive more touch and closeness. These babies grow stress systems and emotional systems wired for lifelong health and wellness. Combined with touch, movement, like walking or singing and dancing gently while carrying your baby, induces a calming circuit in the infant brain.21
