After her bath, I lifted my 2-year-old from the water and wrapped a towel around her body. She chattered from the cold, and I pulled her onto my lap. With the hood of the towel, I tousled her hair, and eventually, her muscles relaxed. Then I dipped my hand in the tub of lotion next to me and rubbed her little legs and arms. Severe eczema necessitated the super thick lotion, and I made sure to get each little piggy, her round baby tummy, and her small, bird-like shoulder blades night after night. Happily, her condition improved over the years. But the nightly cuddles had more benefits than that.
Now that my daughter’s 12, she’s down to just itchy feet. It’s no longer necessary to rub her feet for her, but truthfully, I enjoy it and don’t want to give it up. Cuddling her and giving her extra loving touches has done more than heal her itchy skin. It has made her feel loved and secure. If you don’t have a cuddle routine with your kiddo yet, these 5 benefits of cuddling kids will make you want to start today.
1. Cuddling helps your child grow up healthy and strong.
When babies cry, it’s natural to pick them up, and often, they’ll calm down. Cuddling releases oxytocin, a feel-good hormone that helps kids manage their emotions in times of stress. According to Dr. Emily Mudd of the Cleveland Clinic, one of the benefits of cuddling kids is it helps with “nervous system regulation and brain development.” So even if you’re sleep training or going through a stressful time with a child who cries a lot, feel reassured knowing every time you cuddle your kids, you’re giving their brains a healthy boost and nurturing their growing bodies.
2. Cuddling slows time down and marks moments.
When I was 5, my mom tossed an orange blanket over our heads and read to me with a flashlight as we cuddled together during a thunderstorm. She distracted me from my fear and made it a moment I’ll always remember. Moms, when we embrace our children, we’re living in that moment, focusing on them. Whether your child has scraped his elbow and needs a kiss or has been startled awake by a bad dream, pulling her into your arms helps you both enjoy each other’s company and take in the moment that brought you together.
3. Cuddles strengthen your bond.
Days old, my son would only fall asleep on my chest. So, I’d lie awake, exhausted, my palm on his small back, his breath rising under my hand. Maybe it was my warmth or my heartbeat, but he learned I love him. And 14 years later, when he hugs me, I’m grateful for those struggles early on that strengthened our bond.
4. Cuddling is a two-way street.
Your child feels good—and so do you. Story-time snuggles or post-bath cuddles give us the warm, fuzzy feeling we moms love to share with our kids. Even though they’re older now, I still get that rush of feeling when my kids wrap their arms around me, and I’m positive they feel it too.
5. Cuddles now build opportunities for the future.
One of the benefits of cuddling kids includes laying bricks in the foundation of a relationship to come. The familiarity and comfort of our arms are things our kids will remember throughout their lives. Our cuddles comfort our kids when they’re scared, support them when they fall, warm them when they’re cold, and reassure them when they’re nervous. Our kids will return to our arms again and again as they grow because they know it’s a place where they belong.
What other benefits of cuddling kids have you experienced?
