Mothers and fathers can often confuse being attentive to a newborn or toddler's needs with smothering or spoiling the child. There is a widespread sentiment that too much warmth and affection will lead to a child who is too needy or 'clingy'. But according to experts, this notion is false.
Remember touch is essential and there is no substitution for a great big hug! As author and family therapist Virginia Satir once said, “We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth”.
2) Hug and kiss your little learner once a day.
More and more, research is helping us learn that physical touch is important at all stages of life. But for little ones, who are learning about who they are and who they will be, physical affection can shape a child's happiness for life.
Like the child, stop your child on the lips if you no longer find it comfortable as the parent. It's normal to find it bizarre to lip-kiss your child after reaching a certain age. As long as kissing your child raises some questions within you or no longer feels authentic and natural, it may no longer be appropriate.
Most dental diseases experienced by children are caused by bacteria spread through kissing kids in the mouth. The dentists have advised that parents refrain from kissing their children on the lips, particularly before their baby teeth have developed, as they could spread harmful bacteria to their young ones.
03/6Experts who say it is ok
In many cultures, kissing on lips is not considered sexual, and is accepted as a platonic means of showing affection. Research also suggests that intimacy between parents and children – hugging, tickling or kissing a child – has a positive effect on the child's development.
Anything that promotes emotional connectivity is good. It's certainly not inappropriate to kiss your child.” And Sally-Anne McCormack, another psychologist, was more forceful still. “There's absolutely no way that kissing a young child on the lips is confusing for them in any way,” Dr.
“Parents should show love and affection in front of their children. Simple things such as hugging, kissing and holding hands show that you care about that person.
One of the most serious risks that come from kissing babies is the transfer of fever blisters, also known as cold sores. HSV 1 causes fever blisters to form around the baby's mouth and can spread to other areas of the body, even their brain.
While open parenting is good, educating the child about consent and other boundaries to keep in mind is equally important. “While kissing on the cheek is acceptable, anything more than that may be overstepping the boundary, as the child might try it out in school.
If your children are not touched, they can get into a deficit state that can lead to negative mental health as well as show up as psychosomatic symptoms. These symptoms could include a headache, abdominal pain, anxiety, and sadness, to name a few.
A 20-second hug can help your kid grow smarter, healthier, happier, more resilient, and closer to you.
No matter how well-nourished and intellectually stimulated a child is, going without human touch can stunt his mental, emotional and even physical growth; it potentially affects the child for years to come.
Physical touch might be your son's primary way of expressing affection. It could also be that he craves closeness to you at times where he feels anxious, insecure, or some other way that would have him seeking comfort.
Not only are hugs good for children's brain development and physical growth, but they also support emotional development. Nothing soothes the cries of a child with a skinned knee more quickly than a warm hug from an adult who loves them. In addition, hugs are the most effective way to end a temper tantrum.
Skin contact or physical touch, like hugging and holding, are great ways to help your child grow a healthy brain and a strong body. In fact, physicians have found that when children don't receive physical contact, their physical growth and development can slow down. Soothe your child during a tantrum.
Do Babies Like Hugs, Kisses, and Other Signs of Affection? Clearly, there are many different ways in which babies express their affection for their parents and caregivers. But do they enjoy being on the receiving end? In short, yes.
Say the no-kiss rule is only temporary.
Most babies' immune systems will be strong enough for kisses after 2 to 3 months. Until then, it's healthiest not to kiss the baby, painful though it may be. “The baby will need your kisses in a few months!” “Keep looking forward to the time when she's old enough to be snuggled!
That should be obvious. The real guideline here is: If you're hanging out with other people, even your close friends, keep your PDA relatively PG. What constitutes low-level PDA? Hand holding, normal non-French kisses (keep 'em short!), and hugs, all of which are appropriate almost anywhere.
Small acts of PDA usually aren't rude.
For the most part, you can hold your partner's hand or give them a hug when you're in public. You can usually do things like this in front of your friends or your parents, unless they've explicitly told you not to.
Showing that kind of affection will have an effect on the children's peace of mind and will make them sense that there is mutual understanding and harmony in their family. There is nothing wrong with showing that kind of affection, but only as much as is necessary and without doing anything that is forbidden.
"It is normal and healthy to show affection for your children. You are communicating to your children that you love them," Martin explained to a local newspaper of Australia. She also claims that there is no documentation to prove that kissing your children on the mouth creates any problems later on.
It's perfectly fine to kiss your child on the lips, on the cheeks, on the forehead, etc.; affection is affection and it should occur naturally, spontaneously and wonderfully back and forth between parents and their children.
Since it's what you've done from birth, it's considered a family tradition, and it's probably no big deal. But, since you are feeling uncomfortable about it, it's okay to stop and kiss him on the cheek. If he asks why you don't do it any more, be honest, and tell him you feel weird doing it now.