Are newborns ticklish? Have you ever touched your newborn’s little foot or palm and seen the tiny toes or fingers curl and squirm? They feel ticklish — but are they? This post discusses what parent ticklishness is in newborns, the reflexes involved, growth of their bodies, and practical tips for parents. By the end, you’ll be able to tell whether newborns really feel ticklish or if you’ve simply stumbled upon some very interesting reflexes.
What Does ‘Ticklish’ Mean for a Newborn?
In adults, ticklishness typically involves a sense of something funny or pleasurable on the skin from the unexpected touch. Today, it has inspired much giggling and playful squirming. For newborns, there’s an entirely different outlook. Their responses to light touch are often reflexive — not stimulated by laughter.
In general psychology, there are two types of tickle sensations:
Knismesis describes a more light and gentle sensation — like the feeling of a feather brushing along the skin.
Gargalesis is considered to be a stronger type of tickling that typically causes laughter.
Knismesis is the baby’s act of defence against the outside world, and newborns respond almost exclusively to knismesis. Their nervous systems are not yet fully developed and they are far less responsive to playful or emotional touch than they are to reflexive touch.
TICKLEEEEEESSSSSS And the Brain!
What appears to be ticklishness is usually an infant’s primitive reflexes. They are reflexes that are initiated by specific stimuli. They are neurological health markers, and they naturally disappear as baby develops.
The Following Are Some of the Most Typical Reflexes That Parents Tend to Confuse with Ticklishness
Babinski Response (Toes Going Up)
Stroke the sole of a newborn’s foot from heel to toe and it will be the big toe that lifts upward while the other toes fan out. This is known as the Babinski reflex. It is present when the child is born and typically fades by the time the child is around age 2. In younger babies this reflex is present and it demonstrates that their nervous system is working as it should.
Plantar (Toes Curl) Grasp Reflex
Once the Babinski reflex has disappeared, neonates typically demonstrate the plantar grasp reflex. You rub the bottom of the foot around the toes, and the baby will wrap their toes around your finger. This also aids in connecting/bonding and grounding movements.
The Palmar Grasp Reflex (Finger Grasping)
Stroke the palm of a newborn’s hand and you notice the baby will automatically close their hand over your finger, or a toy. It is a strong reflex since birth and typically begins to diminish around five or six months.
Moro Reflex (Startle Response)
If a newborn is frightened by a loud sound or sudden movement, say, they will throw their head back, and throw out their arms and legs and then draw them back, often crying. It typically in-grows by 2 to 4 months.
Tonic Neck Reflex (Fencing Position)
If you turn a newborn’s head gently to one side, for instance, the arm on that side extends, while the opposite side bends the arm, forming a fencing posture. The reflex disappears at around five to seven months.
Stepping Reflex
Hold your newborn upright with their feet on the floor, and they may be stepping or dancing away. This reflex disappears at two months.
All of these reflexes are evidence of normal brainstem circuitry and developmental maturation. All fail to elicit real laughter, or coax emotional ticklishness.
When Do Babies Laugh?
Most babies don’t get tickled into laughing until they are about three to six months, usually the point at which social smiling makes a first appearance. Prior to that, it’s really just a reflex.
- 3 to 4 months: Babies typically start to make some giggles or coos when engaged in certain playful interactions, such as rosy-eye play or very light tickling.
- 5 to 6 months: Full-on belly laughter usually begins around this time. Genuine baby giggling at this age reveals social cognition, enjoyment, and social bonding.
If your baby doesn’t laugh by six months, it still might be fine — but you can ask if your baby’s doctor is following other developmental milestones on time.
Are Newborns Ticklish? The Short Answer
Yes—in a way. They possess reflexes, which are able to produce tickle-like responses when they are touched. But what they experience isn’t the giggly, laughter-provoking ticklishness felt by adults. For infants, it is less about amusement and more about neurological wiring.
Ticklish Spots in a Baby’s Body
- The underarms — The underarms happen to be one of the most sensitive spots on a baby.
These parts of a newborn’s body can also be quite effective for eliciting powerful reflexes in a baby’s body as well:
- Toes and soles: The Babinski reflex/the plantar reflex is most noticeable at this location in the foot, and the toes do some exciting things as a result.
- Palms and fingers: The grasp reflex causes your baby to curl their fingers and grip your finger if you place it in the palm of their hand.
- Cheeks and mouth: Soft touch causes turning and looking movements due to rooting reflex.
- Trunk or back: A light touch can elicit the Galant reflex causing the infant to bend in response to the touch.
These movements are normal and indicate good development.
Why Reflexes Matter
Primitive reflexes are important from a developmental perspective:
- The grasp reflex facilitates bonding — something else babies do naturally, cling to caregivers.
- The rooting reflex also serves breastfeeding by helping babies locate the nipple.
- The Moro reflex gives signs about the development of the nerve system and balance.
As a baby’s brain develops, these reflexes become integrated and outgrown, and give way to purposeful movements and intentional communication.
How to Safely “Tickle” Your Baby
Though newborns don’t laugh in response to tickling, you can engage in playful and comforting ways instead:
- Tenderly stroke their palms or fingers revealing the grasping reflex and the benefits of touch bonding.
- Give their little feet a soft brush, to stimulate the Babinski reflex, and check out those little toes.
- Blow soft raspberries on their belly when they’re a bit older to encourage sensory play.
- Do peekaboo around four months to encourage social laughter and interaction.
Listen to your baby at all times. If they appear uncomfortable or overstimulated, call it a day and try again later.
Tracking Reflex Integration
Normal reflex timelines vary:
- Moro and stepping reflexes disappear by 2 months.
- The palmar grasp goes when the baby is about five or six months old.
- Tonic neck reflex disappears between 5 and 7 months.
- Plantar grasp and Babinski reflex assimilation at one to two years.
If the reflex persists beyond those times, it is something you might want to discuss with your pediatrician.
Real-Life Parent Moments
Hundreds of parents have similar stories:
- A mother recollects how her child’s toes splayed out dramatically when she stroked the soles of feet, inspiring excited giggles and a sense of wonder.
- Another recalls how their baby would hold on to their finger during late-night diaper changes — a reassuring link.
These precious moments of bonding serve to demonstrate how beautifully wired the baby is, from birth.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do babies become ticklish?
Newborns have reflex responses when their lips are touched, as anyone who has had to clean sticky milk off a baby’s face knows very well. (And before you say it, no, that doesn’t count as true ticklishness.) Instinctive reactions to touch are there from the start. Tickle-induced laughter typically begins by three to six months.
Why are you not meant to tickle a baby’s feet?
A light touch will do no harm, but rough tickling or pressure may irritate a newborn’s tender skin, or provoke an involuntary reflex that could take your baby by surprise. Be sure to be gentle and attentive to baby’s comfort at all times.
Do newborns like being held?
Absolutely. Skin-to-skin has been known to alleviate stressors, control body temperature, regulate heart rate and have an overall stress relief by promoting emotional bonding. There are a lot of babies who respond well, to relax and to particpate more in the cuddling.
Babies crack up all the time — but not the very little ones.
Babies are not yet emotionally or neurologically developed enough to laugh on purpose. The answers are automatic. Genuine laughter doesn’t arrive until the brain systems and social awareness that create it mature around four months onwards.
If You Tickle a Baby, Will They Stutter?
No. Based on everything I’ve seen, tickling does not impact speech development, create stuttering or do anything harmful to the gag reflex.
When will my baby know his name?
Most infants start recognizing their name between 6-9 months the point where they not only show social recognition and understanding, but also respond to their name on a consistent basis. If this worries you, call your pediatrician.
Bringing It All Together
Let’s summarize key points:
- Yes, newborns react to touch, but those reactions are reflexes, and not sensory pleasure.
- True ticklish laughter kicks in at four to six months, when babies undergo cognitive and social development.
- Reflex responses such as toe fanning and finger curling are positive indicators of well developing neurological system.
- Tender interactive play such as touching and cooing fosters strong relationships — and lays the groundwork for later emotional and social development.
Conclusion
Infants might not laugh when you tickle them, but their small reflexive reactions are just as miraculous. Those toe fanning and finger-grasping moments give us a glimpse into the miracle of early development and the creation of parent-fetal bonds. In rejoicing in their reflexes, by cherishing each moment, you promote connection and consciousness in your baby.
As those reflexes diminish, they will start to laugh, and deeper play will set in. But those initial “ticklish” signs? They are evidence that your little one is growing just as nature intended—and that you’re part of something wonderful.