हिंदी
A hug is all that we need in these low times. When it comes to babies, scientists have come out with the perfect cuddle – just don’t squeeze too tight.
A team from Japan’s Toho University measured the calming effect on infants of hugs of different pressures, and when given by strangers compared to from parents. By monitoring heart rates for the infant and using pressure sensors on the adult’s hand, the researchers assessed the baby’s reaction to just being held, a hug with medium pressure, and high pressure.
As per the research, babies were soothed more by a medium-pressure hug than just being held but the calming effect decreased considerably by a tight hug.
For infants older than 125 days, the calming effect was greater when receiving a hug from a parent than from a female stranger. So as per the research, the perfect hug is considered to be medium pressure from a parent.
The research showed that it is not only babies who benefit from this. But hugging the chid also calmed the parents.
A hormone called oxytocin, (commonly known as the love hormone) is released during close physical contact.
This study plays a crucial role in knowledge of parent-child bonding and child psychology. This study can also help in early detection of autism.
