Final answer:
Newborns experience physiological benefits from bonding through their sense of touch, the hormone oxytocin, and newborn reflexes which all contribute to secure attachment with caregivers, aiding in their psychological and social development.
Step-by-step explanation:
Physiological Benefits of Bonding for Newborns
Newborns benefit greatly from bonding due to their developed sense of touch. Touch responses, like cuddling and soft stroking, not only guarantee comfort but also fortify the parent-infant bond. This bond is essential for the infant's psychological and social development, as demonstrated by Harry Harlow's research with monkeys who favored a comforting cloth surrogate over a wire one offering nourishment.
Oxytocin is a hormone involved in many aspects of childbirth and postnatal health. Its role extends to facilitating the milk ejection reflex during breastfeeding and enhancing the bond between parent and newborn. This attachment process is critical for fostering feelings of security and love.
Infants possess a set of reflexes aiding the attachment process. The Moro reflex and grasping reflex ensure the newborn maintains close physical contact with their caregiver. These reflexes, along with the infant's reaction to the mother's voice and smell, further promote bonding and offer physiological advantages like proper gastrointestinal development following initial milk or formula consumption.