Why can't you tickle a baby?

Babies often don't respond to tickling in the same way adults do because their nervous systems and reflexes are still developing. Additionally, they may not yet have the cognitive ability to understand the sensation of tickling as playful or funny. Instead, they may react with surprise or confusion, rather than laughter. This developmental aspect means that tickling may not elicit the same response in infants as it does in older children or adults.