Introduction: Touch plays a significant role in our lives as mothers create an emotional bond with their unborn babies by touching their own abdomen. The child is therefore used to being touched by their parents even in the uterus. Touch is very important in upbringing, as it is encouraging and gives the child a sense of security when they are adapting to a new environment. Through this thesis, we will present the newest guidelines on connecting and building trust between a child and a parent through touch. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to present touch as a significant element in a baby’s life, its advantages and features as well as facts supported by research. Methods: We used the descriptive method of collecting, reviewing and analysing Slovenian and international scientific and expert sources through critical reading. We searched different databases, such as PubMed, MedLine, COBISS, and DiKul. In addition to databases, we also read different relevant textbooks and books. The timeframe for our search was set between the years of 1996 and 2016. However, because massage as a form of touch and touch in general have been researched for many years, we also used some older sources which are still relevant today. We searched for literature using the following keywords: touch, massage, mother, child, new-born, the meaning of touch. The exclusion criteria were paid literature and articles and literature with irrelevant content. Results: Touch can be an essential part of childhood as it has an impact on the social and emotional development of children. It is also a beneficial, economical, effective, valuable behaviour that is very important for the health of mothers, babies and society. Discussion and conclusion: Because of its many proven advantages, touch should be a part of a child’s life, whether it is massage, skin to skin contact or just caressing. In this way, a strong bond of love and trust is formed with the child since their birth. And when we show children they are loved, they can develop in a healthy way.
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