Magical Powers of a Hug: It Can Lead to Your Baby's Good Health

A warm hug indeed has magical powers. It can instantly lift your spirit and make you feel loved and cared for. Whether it is a hug from a close friend or your lover, it can chase away the blues and bring in happiness. And if it's a mother's hug we are talking about, then there's nothing in the world quite like it. Several research studies have also suggested that a mother's hug is important for the good health of the baby. Mothers of course have different ways of bringing up a baby, but they shouldn't forget to hug their bundle of joy, say experts.

Here are the magical powers of a mother's hug -

1. Makes them sleep better

Prerna Kohli, Clinical Pyschologist associated with Huggies, says that there are emotional benefits that hugs have for your babies. If you snuggle your child for a couple of minutes before they doze off, you are ensuring a good sleep for him and yourself. Hugging relaxes the body and has therapeutic effects that help a child sleep better.

2. Reduces stress

A child who is hugged, feels relaxed and safe as the levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) decrease with this physical expression of love.

3. Boosts immunity

Sharad Tandon, Cardiologist at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, talks about a few little known scientific benefits of hugs for your little one. Snuggles and cuddles in which the participants' hearts get pressed against each other boost the immunity by promoting the production of white blood cells by stimulating the thymus gland. This will help to keep your child healthy and free from diseases.

4. Helps to heal

Do you know that hugs help heal diseases? This again is attributed to the release of oxytocin. For this reason, parents of premature babies are encouraged to have skin-on-skin contact to help them grow and develop. This very reason is advocated by experts who swear that a new mother heals quickly after delivery if she is immediately left with her baby undisturbed.

Another important point that a Huggies survey highlighted was that 90 per cent doctors and experts believe that a newborn child can recognise their mother's hug. They can identify their mother by engaging their primary instincts and senses, such as recognising her scent and voice. So to all the new mothers out there, don't forget to hug your baby.Inputs from IANS