Our sense of touch is first stimulated in utero as early as 5 weeks after conception – a gentle touch sensation on the upper lip results in an immediate withdrawal of the little embryo from the source of contact. This sensitivity quickly increases to the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet and then within a few weeks the entire surface of the body is responsive to touch. As the embryo matures primitive reflexes develop (grasping, rooting and Moro etc.) enabling the foetus and eventually the new-born baby to not only use touch as a protective mechanism (withdrawal) but to also associate touch with security, feeding, comfort and eventually with exploration and learning.