Behaviors that suggest a
positive response to stimulation include maintenance of a
quiet alert state, relaxed body tone, eye-to-eye contact, and
flexed posture. However, it must be recognized that infants’
behavioral responses may be influenced by many factors,
including GA, morbidity status, behavioral state, and prior
exposure to handling or painful procedures.66 The findings
from research to date suggest that when infants are physiologically
fragile, they may respond best to still, gentle touch.
As these infants mature and become more stable, caregivers
can begin to provide gentle stroking and massage, as well as
KC, observing the infants’ responses and modifying their
tactile stimulation accordingly.