Many of us resort to tickling babies to make them laugh. While most babies break into giggles while being tickled, it is impossible to tell if the baby likes it or not. Just like adults, not all babies like being tickled. Moreover, due to their limited language skills, it may be difficult for babies to communicate if they enjoy or dislike being tickled. So, should we ever tickle the babies? Read this post as we tell you if you can tickle your babies, when babies begin to understand tickling, and alternative ways to make a baby laugh.
When Can You Tickle A Baby?
There is no fixed age to begin tickling your baby. As a general rule, it is best to try tickling your baby after they are six months old. It is the age when babies usually develop the ability to make sounds to express happiness or discomfort (1). A six-month-old is likely to voice their displeasure of being tickled if they don’t like it.
When Do Babies Understand Tickling?
It is not precisely known whether babies understand tickling and at what age they begin to develop a sense of it. Research indicates that babies are quite sensitive to touch up to the age of six months and can accurately tell the spot being touched on their bodies (2). This sensitivity gradually fades away after the age of six months, and a touch, such as a tickle, may not cause a sensory overload. Younger babies are sensitive to touch, but they only register it as an elemental touch and cannot associate it with a tickle. Once older than six months, babies may better perceive a touch as a tickle and associate it with fun or laughter.
How To Tell If The Baby Dislikes Being Tickled?
Sometimes prolonged ticking can irritate the baby. Also, touching the baby’s skin very lightly can make them ticklish and irritated. A baby older than six months who dislikes being tickled is likely to display the following expressions and signs of displeasure when being tickled.
Grimace and teary-eyed Sounds of displeasure Pushes hand away Tries to roll away Older babies may crawl away when tickled
Some babies may find tickling painful. Also, forceful laughter induced by tickling may cause some babies to gasp for air. In such cases, you may notice the baby breathing heavily or gasping for air after being tickled.
When To Avoid Tickling The Baby?
It is best to avoid tickling a baby in the following scenarios.
Sickness or disease During and after feeding Baby is drowsy or sleepy Sleep Baby’s attention is preoccupied with something else
You must preferably avoid tickling the baby if they have a medical condition or have a physical limitation that affects their ability to communicate.
Impact Of Tickling On The Brain
Tickling is a complex sensory reaction to touch. The following are some general effects of tickling on the brain of human beings (3) (4).
Tickling is usually a touch with an element of surprise. Our brains can mostly predict the response to a sensation and can suppress it. However, when it comes to tickle, it is hard for the brain to predict the response, thus leading to the sensation of being tickled.
When we attempt to tickle ourselves, there is no element of surprise. It is the reason why we usually cannot tickle ourselves.
Tickling is believed to be a defense mechanism similar to pain or itch. It may serve the purpose of alerting the person. It is probably the reason why some individuals find tickling uncomfortable or painful.
The skin over the belly, under the arms, and soles of the feet is usually the most sensitive to tickle in most persons. These parts of the body are also quite vulnerable. Therefore, from an evolutionary perspective, the nerves evolved to alert the person more quickly when being touched or tickled at these parts of the body.
The response to a tickle depends on an individual’s sensitivity to touch. Some are more sensitive to touch and quickly respond to even the slightest tickle.
Myths About Tickling
The following are some of the common misconceptions about tickling babies.
Other Ways To Make Babies Laugh
If your objective is to make the baby laugh, you may consider the following alternatives to tickling.
Play peek-a-boo and other games, such as chasing the baby while they crawl. These games could make the baby giggle while also improving their developmental skills.
Blow bubbles and making funny sounds could make for a fun activity.
Make funny faces since it often makes babies laugh.
Make strange voices, such as slurping of liquids or sounds of animals, to elicit laughter.
Play pretend play with toys by acting out a funny story.
Alternative Ways To Bond With The Baby
You could try the following methods for establishing a secure attachment with your baby (6).
Singing to the baby in your own voice Massaging with baby oil Bathing the baby Performing exercises for babies Rocking and cuddling Reading books
