Moms’ touch gives kids social push

Youngsters born prematurely and with low birth weights display good social and emotional health by age 2 years if their mothers consistently caressed them and touched them in other nurturing ways, a new study finds. In contrast, toddlers who had the same birth complications but received much less nurturing contact along with occasional pinching, slapping, and other types of harsh touch show signs of anxiety and social withdrawal, say Sandra J.