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44  TOPIC 3 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS
The importance of touch is apparent in research. In Eastern Europe, research has shown that the developmental delay in infants is normally caused by inadequate or inappropriate sensory stimulation such as touch. For example, orphan infants exposed to desolate conditions exhibited impaired growth, serious infections, attachment disorder and poor cognitive development. The deficiency may be due to the lack of touch they received. Many researchers believe that touch is good for the mind and it can promote brain growth. Some studies have shown that newborn babies receiving extra touch display enhanced neurological development. Researchers believe that touch promotes the development of myelin insulation in brain, which increases the speed of nerve impulse transmission in the body.
Researchers also believe that touch can improve digestion. They believe that the therapeutic value of healing touch can enhance the secretion of digestion hormones and makes the babiesÊ digestion system more efficient. This explains why the touched babies grow better. In fact, babies with stomach pain caused by irritable syndrome are likely to have less colon trouble when they are touched and massage frequently.
Another research showed that premature infants in a „grower nursery‰ gained 47 per cent more weight when they received extra touch. There are also a variety of studies showing a similar outcome. Infants that receive extra touch through massage (See Figure 3.2) become better organised. They have less illness, fuss less, have better sleep patterns and better weight gain.
Figure 3.2: Infants who receive extra touch through massage have less illness, better sleep patterns and better weight gain
Source: http://www.motheringtouch.ca/blog/the-vital-importance-of-touch/
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