Does it really matter?

Well,there was a topic on the Attachment Parenting group I belong to and because I'm lazy I'm copying and pasting my comment here. It was in response to the article on autism actually, where there was info about babies' experiences shaping them and the importance of touch. Well, I guess I could've saved myself some effort and summed it up in one word..... DUH!!! But really we do things to babies such as circumcise them for cosmetic reasons etc thinking it doesn't matter because after all....They won't remember. We let them "cry it out " because after all.....They won't remember. Bottles get propped while babies feed alone because..... They won't remember.
They sleep alone because not only will they not remember if they slept with mama or not but they "need" to sleep alone so they might as well get used to it. Let's not hold the baby too much because they might like it. The thinking appears to be that babies are sentimentally cute but let's not be inconvenienced by them and it really doesn't matter what is done to babies because after all....They won't remember! In fact if there is something to be done let's hurry and do it while the children are still babies because.....They won't remember. The prevailing mindset seems to be - make sure baby is fed, clothed and cuddled and that's good enough. It just doesn't matter what else is or isn't done because.....They won't remember.
I must disagree and say that it does matter and even though babies can't consciously recall their experiences they are affected by them and they do remember. Just watching them learn, seeing how they recognize music and voices they heard in the womb etc is simple obvious evidence. so, what do we want them to learn? Love, trust, security, kindess, compassion? How do we acheive that?
What does it say about a society that thinks it doesn't matter if things are done or not done because the person involved will have no memory of it? If we have an invalid relative or one with Alzheimer's or dementia should we operate without anesthesia? Should we withhold food if they're hungry because it's not the "Scheduled" time to eat? If they cry for attention or are lonely can we ignore them because whether or not we are responsive to their needs they are just not going to remember? Babies are conscious beings deserving of respect and consideration. They want to be held, carried, talked to, fed when hungry and they want to feel loved and safe. So, here's my little response to the article about the importance of touch.

I just want to say as an instructor of infant massage that touch is so very
important and massage can be so beneficial. It enhances attachment and
bonding and supports body systems- including the nervous system. It's a simple
and beautiful method of affecting baby on many levels in a very positive way.
Science so frequently spends a long time to admit the obvious.
AP is instinctive and we know that babies' experiences shape them. The
thinking that nothing really matters because the baby won't remember what
happened to them is faulty reasoning and gives permission to withhold or carry out
things we'd never do to someone who could speak up for themselves in ways other
than crying. Advocating for babies and modeling responsive and conscious
parenting is essential.
Yes, touch improves baby's development and breastfeeding and cosleeping and
carrying and responding all do the same. This is something that mamas know.
It's evidence based and mama and baby tested.

So, there it is. What do you think?