“I love my baby so much… but how do they know I love them?” That’s a valid question, given they can’t understand our words yet. Your baby is immersed in a sea of sensations, emotions and experiences from the moment they have entered the world. They may not yet have the words to understand love, but trust us, they can feel it. They can feel it in every interaction, every gentle touch, and every soothing voice – love is an energy, after all. Love, to a baby, is a language spoken through warmth, presence, and care. But how exactly do babies know that they are loved?
The Power of Touch
It’s been said that “a mother’s touch heals and brings joy.” This is not just a poetic sentiment but a scientifically proven fact. Long before babies understand words, they recognise love through touch. Skin-to-skin contact, cuddles, and gentle caresses trigger the release of oxytocin, also known as the “love hormone.” Such is the power of skin-to-skin at birth.
This strengthens the bond between parent and baby and creates a deep sense of security. When you hold your baby close, stroke their tiny fingers, or comfort them when they cry, they learn they are safe and cherished. This is why holding your baby calms them so much โ and almost instantly.
Your Voice is Their Favourite Sound
Even in the womb, babies can hear their parents’ voices. We love watching those TikToks and Reels showing how babies respond to their parents’ voices. After birth, familiar sounds like the sound of your voice, the melody of a lullaby, or the rhythm of your heartbeat continue to provide reassurance and comfort. Studies show that newborns recognise and prefer their mother’s voice; they also form a deep connection with other caregivers’ voices over time. You reinforce their sense of being loved and heard when you sing lullabies, speak gently, or respond to their coos and cries. You don’t need to be Whitney Houston The Second for your baby to love the sound of your voice โ do what comes naturally to you.
Eye Contact and Facial Expressions
Babies are naturally drawn to faces and quickly learn to read emotions through facial expressions. When you gaze lovingly into their eyes, smile at them, and mimic their little expressions, they begin to understand the joy and love behind those gestures. The simple act of looking at your baby affectionately tells them they are essential and adored.
Responding to Their Needs
Love for a baby is in the way their needs are met. Babies associate responsiveness with love, whether feeding when they’re hungry, changing them when they’re uncomfortable, or soothing them when they cry. A caregiver’s consistent and nurturing presence builds trust and teaches them they are valued. So when your baby cries, pick them up, hold them, and let them know you’re there.
The Magic of Play
From peek-a-boo to tickles and giggles, playtime is more than just funโit’s a way of showing love. Engaging with your baby through play strengthens emotional connections and fosters their development. They feel special and loved when you respond to their laughter, follow their cues, and delight in their discoveries.
The Comfort of Routine and Presence
Babies thrive on routine and familiarity. Knowing that their parents or caregivers will be there at bedtime, during feeds, and for cuddles creates a deep sense of emotional security. Love is found in the predictable, the everyday moments, and the quiet reassurance that they are never alone.
Your Smell and Heartbeat
A baby’s sense of smell is highly developed, and they find comfort in familiar scentsโespecially their parents. A mother’s scent and even the rhythm of her heartbeat (which they recognise from the womb) provide a deep sense of love and safety. This is why babies snuggle close, seek comfort in their parents’ embrace, and feel at ease in their arms. Even the smell of your milk (for those breastfeeding) comforts them.
Love for a baby is not measured in grand gestures but in the small, everyday momentsโwarmth in a cuddle, reassurance in a whisper, safety in a familiar routine. Though they may not yet say “I love you,” they feel it in every heartbeat, every lullaby, and every time you hold them close.
From how you respond to their needs to how you smile at them, your baby knows that they are deeply loved. And as they grow, this foundation of love becomes the guiding force that shapes their confidence, security, and ability to love in return. Love is an unmistakable energy that never depletes.
