Hugging Your Child: 3 Ways to Build Strong Family Bonds
There is no denying that we really love hugging and kissing our children. Whatever has left us emotionally drained, a little cuddle can lift our spirits. Let’s explore different ways to cuddle and build family bonds.
Hugs and kisses help parents build lasting bonds with their children. They are good for our well-being, and every family is encouraged to share them generously. You might feel a little shy at first, but trust us—it is worth it.
Hugging your child can help in many ways, including supporting health, strengthening attachment and creating important learning experiences.
Why is hugging your child good for our health?
Hugging has physical effects. Before a baby is born, the mother releases oxytocin into her brain and bloodstream. This hormone helps build a strong bond between mother and baby while the baby is still in the womb. The same hormone can also be released through touch, such as hugs with children or other family members.
Warm touch is also associated with the brain’s pleasure and reward systems, including dopamine, helping both parents and children feel good when they hold and hug each other. So, the more hugs, the better! It is a simple way to strengthen the parent-child bond.
Both oxytocin and dopamine are associated with relaxation, attachment and happiness. Although long-term effects on physical health, such as heart health or blood pressure, need further study, the fact that hugs help both parents and children feel good is reason enough to share them often.
Hugs can also comfort your child when they feel uncomfortable, such as during teething. A cuddle can help them feel less irritable and more secure. However, if your child has a fever, significant pain or persistent crying, consult a doctor.
Although hugs and kisses may not relieve every kind of pain, they can help your little one settle and feel calmer. Give your child the warmth of your embrace! Open your arms and your heart, and keep those loving hugs coming.
Massage
Beyond the hormonal effects of hugging, there are other benefits for babies and your relationship with them. Did you know that massage can also help strengthen family bonds?
HealthyChildren.org, from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), states that infant massage can help babies sleep better, relax and ease constipation, and may help reduce colic symptoms. It also helps parents learn their baby’s cues and build a closer bond. (Read more: What Is Colic? How to Prepare)
How do you massage a young baby?
- Prepare a blanket or towel and a gentle massage oil suitable for babies, such as a natural oil like coconut oil. Avoid adult massage oils, scented lotions, essential oils and nut oils, which carry an allergy risk. Start by applying a small drop of oil to a patch of your baby’s skin to check for irritation. If your baby has a rash, dry or cracked skin, or was born prematurely, consult a doctor first.
- When your baby is in a good mood, sit on the floor with the soles of your feet together and your legs forming a diamond shape.
- Drape the blanket or towel over your feet and lay your baby on it, facing you.
- Then hold your baby and speak softly in a gentle voice as you slowly massage one body part at a time: the tummy (avoiding the navel if it has not fully dried and healed), chest, arms, back and finally the legs. Use a light touch without pressing hard, and stop if your baby starts fussing.
- Try to make eye contact as much as possible. This helps strengthen your bond and lets you and your baby get to know each other better.
Bathing your baby
Another way to strengthen the bond between you and your little one is bath time. It is a lovely time when children can relax and may enjoy a cuddle while having fun splashing or playing in the water with friends.
Bath time is a sensory pleasure and an opportunity for parents to care for their child. Using a suitably sized baby bathtub can help you support your baby more securely.
Safety precaution: Stay with your baby and keep a hand on them at all times while they are in the water. Never leave your baby alone, even briefly to fetch something or answer the phone, because young children can drown in just a few centimetres of water. Check that the water is comfortably warm before placing your baby in the bath, and empty it immediately afterwards. Read more guidance from HealthyChildren.org (AAP).
Parents can make the most of this lovely opportunity to speak gently with their child and explain why keeping our bodies clean matters. Try a relaxing massage on a day when your child has had a difficult time, such as after an argument or a particularly fussy day. When children feel stressed, a warm bath can help them feel better. Spending this time together can help your child trust you more.
You can also turn this time into an opportunity to learn new words and even explore basic physical principles, such as buoyancy, temperature and more. Bath toys play an important role in making the experience fun and colourful, encouraging children to enjoy playing in water. Toys that scoop, pour or float help children learn about shapes, floating and sinking, and putting toys away too. Take a look at toys from Hape.
You could also try a floating toy boat that can be pulled along the surface of the water, whether in a pool or a bath, with an adult beside your child at all times. It is a wonderful opportunity to explore floating objects—perfect for our little explorers!
Soothing your baby to sleep
Finally, another time for you and your child to feel closer is bedtime. When your baby falls asleep in your arms, they are as close to your heart as can be. Singing a favourite song while gently holding them creates a magical moment that helps strengthen your bond.
Safety precaution: Once your baby is asleep, place them on their back in their own cot or bed on a firm, flat mattress, with no pillows, blankets, soft toys or cot bumpers. Avoid falling asleep while holding your baby on a sofa or chair, in line with safe sleep guidance from the AAP.
Parenting can be difficult at times, but it is also the best job in the world. We hope every parent enjoys these moments and builds a strong, lasting relationship with their little one. Building family bonds does not have to be complicated, but it is something to nurture every day. Let love guide you. For more ideas, read Playing with Your Child Helps Build Strong Family Bonds.
If you are looking for a wonderful developmental toy, ‘Hape’ is a great choice. We offer a wide range of wooden toys that support children’s development at every age.
Thoughtfully designed with children’s learning in mind, these toys help develop important skills such as seeing, listening, observing, fine motor skills, problem-solving, imagination and creativity. They also encourage integrated academic learning through STEAM.
With durable designs and materials that support children’s development, these toys also prioritise safety. They use non-toxic paints and wood with quality controlled to FSC standards. Their sturdy construction provides a long useful life and makes them environmentally friendly.
Hape is a wooden toy brand sold in many countries worldwide and references quality and safety standards such as ICTI, ISO 14001 and ISO 9001.
It is easy to see how Hape wooden toys can enrich these activities and help children spend time away from screens.
What matters most is sharing happy moments as a family, because wherever there is love, there is a complete home! What activities do you enjoy with your child? 😁
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