Yes, newborns can feel love.
While they can't express it verbally, babies experience and understand emotional attachment. They feel affection and begin to form loving bonds with their caregivers from an early age.
Understanding Newborn Love
It is important to understand that love felt by newborns is not the same mature understanding of love as experienced by adults. However, it is still love, expressed in different ways.
Here's a breakdown:
- Affection: Babies clearly feel affection and attachment to their caregivers. This is evidenced by their preference for their parents' voices, touch, and presence.
- Emotional Attachment: Newborns form emotional bonds which is a foundational aspect of experiencing love. These attachments play a critical role in their development and well-being.
Signs of Love in Newborns
While they can't say "I love you," newborns show love through:
- Eye Contact: A baby may hold their caregiver's gaze, which is an early sign of bonding.
- Smiling: As they develop, newborns begin to smile, often in response to the people they feel most attached to.
- Seeking Comfort: They seek comfort and security from their caregivers through cuddling and physical proximity.
How to Nurture a Newborn's Sense of Love
You can help babies feel loved by:
- Being Responsive: Respond to their cries and needs consistently.
- Providing Physical Touch: Offer cuddles, skin-to-skin contact, and gentle touch.
- Engaging with them: Talk, sing, and play with your newborn to build strong connections.
Key Takeaway
According to the reference, babies do feel love and can understand emotional attachment, though their understanding of it is different from an adult's. Affection is a key component of how newborns express their love.
