Closeness for some parents begins as they care for their newborn. For most parents, this is a time for sharing special sentiments while developing and nurturing their relationship with their child. From pre-conception through birth and infancy, parents and babies are offered many opportunities to open their hearts to each other. Touching is an ancient tradition and communication process. Research and clinical evidence show that loving, touching, and nurturing contact between parent and child before and after birth has a positive impact upon the parent, the child, their relationship, and the child's later development.
Parents come to appreciate the role that appropriate, gentle touch can play in family life.
This allows them to go at a comfortable pace and be sensitive to the health, developmental, and emotional stage of their young child. Pregnant mothers and new parents increase coping skills, while infants and children learn to manage their own stress. Parents use a variety of soothing techniques when the child is having difficulty self-calming. Parents learn how to self-nurture, and dance in tune with their child's rhythms by incorporating enjoyable nurturing activities into their physical and emotional caregiving. All families can benefit from support, individually or in a group, from the time of conception.