As a mother-to-be, you may be eagerly anticipating the moment when you can feel your baby move and kick inside your belly. But have you ever wondered when your baby can start feeling you touch your belly? The answer may surprise you.
The sense of touch is one of the first senses to develop in a baby. By the time a baby is just eight weeks old, they can already feel touch sensations. However, at this stage, the baby is still too small and is protected by the amniotic fluid and the uterus, so they cannot feel you touching your belly from the outside.
Around the 20th week of pregnancy, your baby’s sense of touch becomes more refined. This is when the nerve endings in their skin start to develop, and they can feel more sensations. At this stage, your baby can feel you touching your belly, but the sensation may be muted due to the cushioning of the amniotic fluid.
As your pregnancy progresses, your baby’s sense of touch continues to develop. By the third trimester, your baby’s skin is fully developed, and they can feel a wide range of sensations, including pressure, temperature, and pain. This means that when you touch your belly, your baby can feel it more clearly.
But when can your baby start responding to your touch? It is believed that babies can start responding to touch as early as 26 weeks of pregnancy. This is when they start to develop their reflexes, such as the startle reflex, which is triggered by touch. You may notice your baby jumping or kicking in response to your touch at this stage.
As your due date approaches, your baby’s sense of touch becomes even more sensitive. They can feel the slightest movements and pressure on your belly. This is why you may feel your baby squirming and kicking more frequently as they become more aware of their surroundings.
It is also worth noting that your baby’s sense of touch is not limited to just your touch. They can also feel the touch of other people, such as your partner or siblings, when they place their hands on your belly. This can be a great way for your loved ones to bond with the baby before they are born.
In addition to feeling touch, your baby can also hear and respond to your voice, music, and other sounds from the outside world. This is because their hearing is fully developed by the 25th week of pregnancy. So, when you talk or sing to your baby, they can hear you and may even respond by moving or kicking.
In conclusion, your baby can start feeling you touch your belly from around the 20th week of pregnancy. However, their sense of touch continues to develop and become more refined as your pregnancy progresses. By the third trimester, your baby can feel a wide range of sensations and may even respond to your touch. So, don’t be surprised if you feel your baby kicking or moving in response to your touch. It is a beautiful reminder of the strong bond you share with your little one, even before they are born.
When can my baby feel me touch my belly?
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