Know Your Body: Why doctors advise against tickling a baby

Gynaecologist and fetal medicine expert Dr Deepthi Jammi took to Instagram to share that one should not tickle a baby as it is harmful for the child, while debunking a few myths related to tickling a newborn.

Negating the claim that tickling causes stuttering in babies, Dr Jammi said there is no connection between the two. Similarly, on claims that tickling makes a baby speak early, Dr Jammi said that it is also false.

Dr Jammi said that when a baby is tickled, it starts to laugh out uncontrollably which makes the chest and stomach muscles contract and relax. This movement can cause hiccups in a baby and the tot may even gasp for air.

Here’s what to know about babies (Source: Pixabay)

Agreeing with this, Dr Jagdish Kathwate, consultant neonatologist and pediatrician, Motherhood Hospital, Pune, said tickling is a strict no-no.

“Tickling impacts the child’s body in many ways. If the child is tickled too forcefully or even in many sensitive areas, such as the neck or groin, it can cause pain, discomfort and even trauma. The child will be uncomfortable. Moreover, the baby is helpless and will be unable to express whether he/she likes or dislikes it. Excessive tickling can also cause chest and stomach pain, which will require immediate medical attention. Shockingly, the giggle during tickling is involuntary and can induce breathing difficulties,” said Dr Kathwate.

So, tickling can do more harm than good. “Excessive tickling can also lead to anxiety in children. Not only this, but tickling can even cause death from asphyxia, brain aneurysms or other stress-related injuries when done constantly. It is better to avoid tickling the baby to make sure that there are no problems due to it,” said Dr Kathwate.

Dr (Major) Manish Mannan, HOD, pediatrics and neonatology, Mother and Child Unit, Paras Health, Gurugram, concurred. “Occasional stimulus may be pleasant to babies but their parents must always remember tickling should never be against the wishes of the baby, and if you are unable to find out, avoid it. There are many other ways to make your baby happy and bond better with you,” said Dr Mannan.

Other ways to bond with the baby

According to Dr Jammi:

*You can use a few drops of oil to gently massage the child, which also helps to connect with the baby more.

*You can also sing songs or read books to the baby.

*One can even do gentle finger strokes over the body.

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