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Do Babies Understand Kisses?

Published in Baby Development 2 mins read

No, babies don't initially understand a kiss in the same way adults do – as a symbolic gesture of affection. However, they are highly receptive to the sensory experience and the emotional context surrounding it.

Sensory Experience vs. Understanding

  • Sensory Input: A kiss provides tactile stimulation, temperature change, and potentially the scent of the caregiver. Babies find these sensory experiences comforting and soothing.
  • Association with Positive Experiences: Kisses are often paired with other nurturing actions like cuddling, feeding, and singing. This repeated association creates positive feelings for the baby.
  • Developing Understanding: As babies grow, they begin to associate kisses with affection and love through observing caregivers' expressions and reactions. Around 8-9 months, some babies reciprocate with kisses, but this might be mimicking behavior rather than fully comprehending the emotional meaning. By age 2, many children associate kisses with comfort and healing, as indicated by requesting a kiss for an "owie."

What Babies Do Respond To

Babies are incredibly responsive to non-verbal cues. A kiss, as part of a loving interaction with eye contact, gentle caresses, and a warm tone, communicates affection profoundly. They don't understand the symbol of a kiss, but they feel the love and care expressed through the action and the overall interaction.

Evidence from References:

  • Several Reddit threads (r/beyondthebump, r/newborns) show anecdotal evidence of babies reacting positively to kisses at various ages (9 months showing giggles, 8-9 months reciprocating with kisses), indicating an increasing association with positive feelings.
  • One Quora answer mentions that some babies may prefer other forms of affection, such as hugs or waves, suggesting that the preference is individual rather than a universal understanding.
  • The MIT study on babies understanding relationships through saliva suggests a connection between physical proximity and inferred closeness; kisses, as a form of proximity, contribute to a sense of closeness and bonding.
  • An article from Growing Seeds Learning Academy reiterates that babies are highly receptive to non-verbal cues, including kisses, which contribute to a sense of safety, comfort, and love.

In conclusion, while babies don't intellectually understand the abstract concept of a kiss as a display of affection in the early months, they definitely respond positively to the sensory input and the emotional context of the loving interaction it's usually part of.