Should we tickle babies?

What a lovely and interesting research project you are busy with! I noticed from an article I read about your research that you seem to approve of babies being tickled to get them smiling. I grew up in a boarding school and I can remember what a dreadful experience it used to be pinned down by bigger kids and them tickling you until you are silly. Sadly, it happened to many smaller kids, who had no defense against this. My question: Babies have no way of defending themselves against tickling, whether they like it or not. They also cannot protest. Isn’t it quite a bad idea to tickle the small ones? If so, you have a perfect opportunity to advise against this practise.

You raise a very interesting question. Some people do find tickling more unpleasant than others. And not without reason. One theory about why we are ticklish is so that we are sensitive to bugs and small parasites that might crawl over our bodies when we slept. Not a pleasant thought and understandable and beneficial that we would wriggle away from it. If that theory is true, then the more surprising thing about tickling might be why do so many people seem to enjoy it? Here I think the crucial difference is that it can be fun when it is happening in a non-threatening context and we know that it is just someone doing it ‘in jest’. The sensation itself isn’t exactly pleasant, the tickle is still something we will squirm away from. But the overall situation it happens in can be pleasant.. in the context of a game with someone we like. (But in other contexts like you describe in your boarding school.) So what about babies? As you say they can’t easily get away but I don’t think you need to worry too much about them being completely helpless. From the moment they are born, babies are very good at communicating what they do and don’t like. If they are crying there is probably something wrong. If they are smiling or laughing then they are probably having fun. The most important thing anyone interacting with a baby can do is be responsive to the signals they are getting from the baby. The world is a confusing place if you are a baby but if we respond intelligently and consistently to them then they will feel secure and can flourish. Babies love games and they love people and when we play games with them they are not just having fun they are also learning from us. Tickling can be a great game to play with a baby. I think that most babies, most of the time will really enjoy it. If they don’t they have ways of letting you know. It is always important to pay attention to what the baby is communicating to you and respond in an appropriate way. Likewise, a very physical game like tickling is it’s not such a good game for younger children to play with babies unless they are carefully supervised by adults. I hope that answers your question.]]>

11 Comments on “Should we tickle babies?
  • Tiddles tickles | Laughing Baby Videos says:

    […] far on this blog we’ve discussed whether babies could object to being tickled and wondered why cats are the funniest pets. Here’s one answer to both those […]

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  • Jessica ("Jess") says:

    I look for cues from the babies themselves.If they’re laughing,smiling, and/ or squealing,it’s a good bet they’re enjoying the game.Having worked a LOT with babies before (& hopefully soon again),one of my favorite things to do with them is play with them….they love it as well!! How could I tell?? Well, even before babies can talk, their faces speak a thousand words!
    At one Center i worked at, we were in the basement of a church. We had a baby swing suspended from our ceiling (it was anchored in very deeply),and we’d push the babies (from 4 months to 18 months) in it. I’d push them,move slightly away & turn & talk to someone….and BUMP!……they’d ” bump” into me!! Talk about babies laughing!! I’d have nearly the whole room hysterical!! I might then tickle ribs, a belly, feet or toesies, saying, “Gee! Was I in YOUR way??” Giggle, giggle, giggle!! They LOVED it!!
    Bottom line….take your cues from your baby,: )If they’re laughing, go with it! You can’t go wrong!!

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  • Tiddles tickles tootsies | The Baby Laughter project says:

    […] far on this blog we’ve discussed whether babies could object to being tickled and wondered why cats are the funniest pets. Here’s one answer to both those […]

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  • Your babies #033: Jaxton being tickled | The Baby Laughter project says:

    […] most popular post on this blog is the one that asks ‘Should we tickle babies?‘ A lot of adults don’t like being tickled and babies can’t easily defend […]

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  • The Laughter of Four Month Olds | brown goat says:

    […] studied by Birkbeck Babylab, a London based research group.  The most popular post on their Baby Laughter project blog is the discussion of “should we tickle babies”.  When it comes to […]

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  • Jimmy says:

    With tickling they look like enjoying it but may hate it. Babies have NO way of communicating this, so you can’t know you’re not torturing them. Children may look like they’re enjoying it too but may hate it. But children can tell you. Babies can’t.
    Also everyone has a different sensitivity to tickling. I always hated being tickled. I remember when I got old enough to tell me family. I was maybe 4 or 5. Before that it was just torture. I couldn’t breathe when I was being tickled. I didn’t have the sense to say anything as soon as I could talk but still hated it.
    Please never tickle a baby. This article makes a bald assertion that an adult can tell if they aren’t liking it, but they don’t back this claim up.

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  • Your babies #033: Jaxton being tickled – The Laughing Baby says:

    […] Optimistically Yours… on Should we tickle babies? […]

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  • Tiddles tickles tootsies – The Laughing Baby says:

    […] far on this blog we’ve discussed whether babies could object to being tickled and wondered why cats are the funniest pets. Here’s one answer to both those […]

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  • Your babies #033: Jaxton being tickled - babies.lol says:

    […] most popular post on this blog is the one that asks ‘Should we tickle babies?‘ A lot of adults don’t like being tickled and babies can’t easily defend […]

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