If there's one thing most pregnant women take in common (and frankly, a few strangers as well!), it's that they can't keep their hands off their growing baby bumps. For some moms-to-exist, constantly touching, patting, rubbing and holding their belly can exist soothing. For others, information technology's a way to feel close to the babe inside. But no affair the reason, rubbing your belly simply makes you experience good.

Desire to continue those nice vibes? Read on for the scientific discipline behind what your baby feels when y'all rub your belly too as other sweet ways to bail with your niggling one during pregnancy.

Can my baby feel it when I rub my pregnant belly?

Touch is the first sense your infant develops in the womb — even earlier sight and hearing. In fact, twin babies volition regularly interact and touch each other early on in the second trimester. (The power to observe some noises and changes in calorie-free comes a trivial bit later!)

Every bit you rub your abdomen, you can no doubt find your tot's little body parts, similar his tush (soft, round), his head (hard, round) and limbs that stick out every which way. And as yous get-go feeling all those kicks and flips from the fetus inside you — usually around weeks 18 to 22 — your baby on board will soon feel you likewise.

How practice babies react to pregnant belly rubs?

The reaction your infant has to pregnant belly rubs is a very positive one, say the experts behind some research that examined a mother'southward impact in pregnancy. Researchers performed sonograms on expectant women during the 2nd and tertiary trimesters to track babies' movements when their mothers spoke, stroked their bellies or laid completely still.

The results? The babies moved their arms, heads and mouths more when their mothers touched their bellies than when their moms spoke to them. They as well responded to maternal impact earlier in gestation than was previously known, between weeks 21 and 25 of pregnancy.

How to bail with your baby during pregnancy

In improver to touching your abdomen, there are other means you tin can forge a strong bond with your baby during pregnancy. Interact with your niggling one in utero with these easy ideas:

  • Play a tune. Introduce your growing little ane to some favorite music while he's in the womb. He's able to hear (muffled) sounds by the halfway indicate in your pregnancy!
  • Chat him upwards. Describe the weather, explain what you're working on or just characterize the chores you're doing. All are modest ways to form an attachment from the start and teach baby the sound of your phonation.
  • Read a tale. Nope, it's not too early on to instill a love of language. You might be collecting infant board books for your tot's inflow so crack open a few and read to him now.
  • Start a journal. Keep a book for your baby or write down your thoughts in a diary. Yous could include pictures of you lot with a big belly, names yous're considering, medical updates and funny things that have happened during each trimester.

Rubbing your growing belly is a gentle and intimate manner to connect with your baby and bear witness your love. Stroke it whatever time yous want to bond, need a lift or you have something to communicate, whether it's an anecdote, a special song or a story you lot think he'd like.