What to do with this activity?

A lot of people have missed physical contact with friends and family during the pandemic - the hugs especially. We all need to feel loved. Babies and toddlers especially need cuddle time. It brings both physical and psychological benefits. In fact, studies show that there is lasting damage where a child has been deprived of physical contact in the early years.

Your baby spent nine months in the womb, so it is used to close physical contact by the time it is born. Skin-to-skin contact with the mother in the first few hours of life is good for both mother and baby. Feeding time is an opportunity for cuddles. Loving physical contact with parents, and other caring adults and siblings, helps your child to feel valued and relaxed. Read this article from "A Mother Far from Home" to learn about the benefits of cuddles and make sure you always make cuddle time for your child. And don't forget that story time is a good time for a cuddle. Cuddle time benefits both of you.