cuddling with your babies can give them more happiness than you think

Babies are adorable, obviously. Who doesn’t like cuddling them? Their tiny bodies, soft, floppy skin are enough for anyone to want to hold them! Now you all know babies and cuddling go like hand in hand, and it only takes a few seconds for us to beam with a smile as soon as we imagine holding a baby, for the sheer joy is just beyond words. And yes, it does give the baby a lot in return too. 

It does sound unfamiliar and wondrous, but cuddling has more advantages than just a smile or a few seconds of giggles. Read on to find out more.

Cuddling with a baby is not only a way of bonding more closely with your baby, but is medically prescribed too. It is one of the fastest and most natural processes of healing post delivery. Often, there are cases when the babies experience a sudden drop in their body temperature and their skin gets floppier. In such cases, doctors suggest the “cuddle therapy” to help revive your baby’s normal body temperature.

Now, if you’re a parent or are about to become one, you must have heard of the popular cuddle therapy called ‘kangaroo care’! Yes, this therapy is exactly (well not really) what the name urges you to imagine. The therapy is required by premature babies for at least six months post delivery. You may find otherwise healthy babies being given the kangaroo care too. The process is to keep the baby warm and healthy during his/her early days, especially when they are breastfeeding. Kangaroo care is basically skin-to-skin care and is usually prescribed to the mother where she keeps the baby in contact with her chest. The father can do the same too.

Though it sounds a bit like magic,  the idea behind cuddling is actually biological. With scientific reasons behind it.

Ever heard of oxytocin? This hormone is the magic, and while you must have heard it used for things related to adults, it’s the same hormone that comforts your baby. Also referred to as the “feel good” hormone, it has an essential requirement for the baby to stabilise and balance his/her emotions. Cuddling has scientifically proven to release this hormone in the baby’s body.

If you are a parent and you haven’t noticed, cuddling helps babies be relatively more stable and open to socialising due to enough amount of oxytocin to help them be more free and sensitive toward others.Studies have proven that children who’ve often been neglected in their infancy in terms of physical touch have grown up to be socially awkward and unpredictable behaviour wise. It is extremely important for children to receive love from both their parents (biological or foster).

You must be thinking how incredible the power is of something you thought was only a playful act of displaying affection, but here is your answer. Be it for his/her nurture as a healthy being or a socially secure person, it is important to grab and shower him/her with all those hugs and kisses.  

Keep cuddling!