The surprising science behind a mother’s touch—and why it soothes babies so deeply

Ever wondered if there’s a literal “switch” in our bodies that helps us feel safe? A viral Instagram reel by @fryrsquared  with 537,000 views is getting parents talking about just that. In the clip, Cambridge professor Hannah Fry explains that a gentle, specific type of touch triggers neurons called C-tactile (CT) afferents, which can lower heart rate and reduce stress, even in preterm infants.

The video opens with Hannah saying: “You have a literal switch in your skin that is pre-programmed to make you feel safe… but you have to get somebody else to flip it.” She goes on to explain that these special neurons only respond to slow, light strokes at about 3 centimeters per second and around 32°C (90°F), roughly the temperature of a human hand. Go too fast, too slow, or too cold, and the neurons ignore the touch entirely.

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What the science says

This phenomenon isn’t just a neat trick. According to a 2022 study published in Frontiers in Psychology, when preterm infants are stroked at the rhythm preferred by C-tactile neurons, their heart rates drop and stress levels decrease, and researchers observed 53 sessions in which mothers instinctively stroked their babies at exactly the right speed and pressure, no training required. 

Earlier research by Manzotti and colleagues also found that stroking at the optimal C-tactile velocity significantly reduced heart rate and increased oxygen saturation in preterm infants

As Hannah Fry notes in her viral Instagram reel, it’s a “built-in biological lullaby,” and the firing of these neurons is so effective that prolonged CT-touch has been linked with shorter hospital stays, highlighting how evolution has pre-programmed humans to give and receive soothing touch.

Related: This TikTok mom’s ice cube trick Is a game-changer for calming toddler tantrums

Why it matters for parents

For many, the reel sparked a mix of awe and delight. Comments poured in, with viewers calling the idea of a “biological lullaby” moving and surprisingly intuitive. Some noted that giving love can feel as powerful for the caregiver as for the baby, echoing what studies show about the mutual benefits of co-regulation.

• “Biological lullaby’ is such a beautiful and descriptive word combo.” — @cristinaroadtrips
• “this is the only kind of content i want to open this app for 😭❤️.” — @peelthatorange
• “I’m about to strap a warmed up hotdog a romba and lay on the floor to try this.” — @el.ei.vi.ei.en

Try this at home: CT-touch for fussy moments

Parents don’t need electrodes to activate this calming response, just patience, slow hands, and attention to cues. Experts suggest:

1. Use calm, slow strokes: Lightly stroke the baby’s arm, back, or chest at a gentle rhythm.
2. Watch for feedback: If a baby flinches, stiffens, or shows discomfort, stop—some babies, especially neurodivergent infants, may dislike light touch.
3. Include partners or caregivers: CT-touch isn’t just for moms. Shared co-regulation helps everyone feel connected and reassured.

It’s also important to note that CT-touch is soothing, not a sleep aid. Parents should never rely on stroking to keep a baby safe during sleep and should always follow safe-sleep guidelines.

Related: 8 calming techniques you and your kids can do together

NICU and skin-to-skin context

According to a clinical pathway document from Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, skin‑to‑skin contact (often called “kangaroo care”) has long been used in NICUs to calm pre‑term infants, stabilize their breathing and improve neuro‑developmental outcomes. Because the CT‑touch system in pre‑term babies may be less mature, caregivers are encouraged to practice patience, monitor their baby’s reactions, and use gentle touch as a form of shared regulation rather than a go‑to sleep aid. 

In the everyday swirl of infant care, that means recognising when your baby is open to touch, and when it’s time to switch to another soothing rhythm because tuning in matters just as much as the stroke itself.

This is a reminder that parental instinct and neuroscience can meet in everyday life. With gentle, attentive touch, parents can give babies (and themselves) a moment of calm, connection, and reassurance in the chaos of early life.

Sources:

1. Frontiers in Psychology. 2022.  “Gentle as a mother’s touch: C-tactile touch promotes autonomic regulation in preterm infants.”
2.  Manzotti and colleagues. 2023. “Gentle as a mother’s touch: C-tactile touch promotes autonomic regulation in preterm infants.”