Global Hug Your Kid Day: Why I love Hugging my daughter

Today is Global Hug Your Kid Day and I can’t help but reflect on my first hug with my daughter Shaelyn. As soon as she was delivered doctors put her on my chest and I hugged her closely, it was a magical experience. Five months later, our hug time is still so important to me and I’m grateful because there are some very powerful benefits of hugging — both for mom, dad, and baby.

Research done by the Canadian Association of Paediatric Health Centres (CAPHC), which was commissioned by Huggies®, has shown that some of the many benefits of hugging/skin-to-skin contact include weight gain and growth, sleep, temperature regulation, bonding and many others. As you get to understand more about hugging, you’ll realize that it is one of the most important things to do with your baby right from the moment they are born.

No matter the age, hugs are vital to your relationship with your child – Something as simple as a hug can do so much for your baby.

Why I love skin-to-skin hugging with my daughter

1. Temperature Regulation

After birth, babies have yet to acquire the ability to regulate their temperature like adults do so their temperature can easily drop.  We had an experience in the hospital after our baby had her first bath where Shaelyn’s temperature dropped suddenly. Hugging her after allowed my warmth to help bring her temperature back up and maintain it afterward.

2. Bonding

There are many things you can do to bond with your baby including things like talking to them and looking into their eyes, but touch is the most important at birth. Skin-to-skin soon after birth helped with my bonding process. It made me more comfortable as a new parent and my daughter was relaxed, happy, and the hugging helped familiarize her with me. Shaelyn is 5 months but she still loves hugging and cuddling and prefers that to playing in her bouncer or laying down on another surface.

The benefits of hugging are so important, and I have seen it firsthand. For all the expecting moms and dads out there, you’ll soon see that hugging your baby is one of the most special things you can give them. To read and learn more about the benefits of hugging your baby, visit www.nobabyunhugged.ca.

Thanks for reading

Until Next Time,

Sincerely Miss J

*THIS POST IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HUGGIES CANADA, HOWEVER ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN*