Last month, I flew to Chicago to attend a workshop program with the Huggies Parents Council. It’s almost hard to put into words what an enlightening experience it was. We got to hear from some of the most inspiring speakers: Dr. Sears, a Pediatrician and author of over 30 parenting books, Dr. Olivier Ouiller, a neurologist and Felicia Fitzgerald, a nurse who has been in the NICU for 20+ years.
We walked away from this workshop with a wealth of information and it made me want to come home and hug Nate (and everyone else I love), just a little bit more. Have you ever noticed that after a hug, especially from someone you truly love, you feel slightly more at ease? Your mood is lighter and chances are, your stress levels decrease?
There’s no denying that hugs feel good, but it’s so much more than that. Science shows that hugs have a tangible effect on certain chemicals and parts of the brain associated with well-being and development – and it all starts in infancy. That’s the main reason you’ll always hear “more skin-to-skin” as a new baby comes into this world. This act represents more than a nurturing cuddle; it produces tangible, neurological effects and is proven to support babies’ emotional and physiological development.
According to a recent Huggies study titled “The Power of Human Touch for Babies,” skin-to-skin hugs can do more than calm a cry or sooth stress. Hugs can help keep a baby’s heart beating at a normal rate, improve sleep and support healthy weight gain. MRI and PET scans have revealed that hugs stimulate the release of dopamine, the feel-good drug.
Chances are, we all know of someone who rarely wants to be touched or hugged; or it’s possible that we are that person. Numerous studies show that it all stems from childhood, which probably doesn’t come as too much of a surprise. Basically, the more you hug the people you love, specifically a developing baby, the impact it will have in their adulthood is tremendous.
The main thing I took away was, hug more. Hug your children, your parents, your friends and your significant other. The world sure can use more hugs.
Visit here to learn more about the No Baby Unhugged program and here for a coupon for Huggies Little Snugglers Diapers.
“My experience at Huggies Parents Council left me so inspired by the work they are doing in the community, that I plan to make donations to several local organizations this holiday season! More information on one of these initiatives is to come in my next post.”
Huggies – the fastest growing diaper brand in U.S. hospitals – believes deeply in the Power of Hugs, which is why every diaper and wipe is inspired by a parent’s embrace. The Huggies No Baby Unhugged program helps ensure all babies get the hugs they need to thrive by supporting hugging programs in hospitals and donating diapers across the country. Learn how you can help at Huggies.com/NoBabyUnhugged.
Sponsored By Huggies
photography (with the exception of the hospital shots) by Julia Xanthos Liddy.
12 comments
Jandrew
Darling, I’m not a parent , but do understand the life affirming power of the hug ! Having suffered from anxiety and depression all my life it is often the hugs that heal ! Thanks for a great post .
November 21, 2017Jandrew
Dress The Part
http://www.jandrewspeaks.com
La Bijoux Bella | by mia
Indeed a hug is a powerful thing. Such a beautiful photos and family. So precious! ♥️??♥️
??LA BIJOUX BELLA ??| by mia | A Creative Lifestyle Blog
November 21, 2017alexia
Seriously hugs are the best thing! Really just physical touch in general. It always lifts my mood when I connect with the people I love!!! xx
November 21, 2017// dem goals
born bred BE – a blog by Alexia
Simply Sory
A mi me gusta más abrazar a un amig@ que darle un beso, encuentro que es más reconfortante. Me encanta dar abrazos.
http://www.simplysory.com/
November 22, 2017Ewa Macherowska
Beautiful post 🙂
http://www.evdaily.blogspot.com
November 22, 2017Sharon
I really believe in the power of human touch. Hugs and rubs are some of my favorite forms of love. I don’t have children but whenever I am around my nephews I hug them to death. And my poor husband and doggie they get hugged so much!
November 22, 2017http://www.forthewonderer.com
naty
this is so cute
November 22, 2017xx
https://www.closettostreet.com/
Heather
I absolutely love the way that Huggies has developed this campaign. Small plug for the brand, big play for the joy associated with every birth. Kudos to you for being a part of it! Now excuse me while I go hug my pre-teens, who will hate every second of it! 😉
November 22, 2017nicole sioui
So happy to read this post in light of the recent article by Girl Scouts U.S. encouraging girls to “not” give hugs. That tension that sometimes exists between mother and daughter because of a minor misunderstanding fixed by a simple hug – speaks volumes. Keep-on-hugging!!!!
November 23, 2017Vicky Sullivan
Very cute!
xo,
November 23, 2017Vicky
http://www.aspiringsocialite.com/
nayan
wow such a nice article i am going to share it..keep it up..
November 24, 2017Unity
Power of hug is power of human touch when the receiver is in distress. This is the power of love and care and need of a loved one to reach out to a dear one in need for some love and care.
November 24, 2017