Runny noses and respiratory infections are common among newborns, but babies living with Down syndrome are even more susceptible to flu-like symptoms and illnesses. When a baby is born with Down syndrome, cognitive and physical development are impaired, and babies’ immune systems are also negatively affected. Vonda Jump, senior research associate at USU’s Early Intervention Research Institute, hopes to improve the health of babies born with Down syndrome through the use of prescribed physical contact interventions. Jump’s research was inspired by previous studies that she conducted using similar techniques on orphans in Haiti and Ecuador. The results indicate that human touch improves the health of compromised babies with symptoms such as gastrointestinal problems, upper respiratory infection, and overall health problems. In the future, Jump plans to study the emotional effects of physical contact between mother and baby.