While newborns can feel touch, they aren't born ticklish in the way we typically understand it. According to research, newborns don't respond to tickling, but they do have the sensation of being touched.
Here's a breakdown of how ticklishness develops:
- Newborn Stage: Infants can feel touch but do not exhibit ticklish reactions like laughter or squirming.
- 4-6 Months: Around this age, babies start to respond to light tickling with smiles and giggles. This indicates the development of the neurological pathways associated with the sensation of ticklishness.
In essence, the response to tickling seems to develop over the first few months of life rather than being present at birth.
