A firm hug gives a safe feeling, why is that?

Getting a big hug feels good - that goes for your baby as well as for you! Cuddling is not only good for your mind, but also for your body. This has to do with deep pressure and hormones. In this article you can read why a firm hug gives a nice and safe feeling and how Fedde&kees uses this technique to help your baby sleep better.

Deep pressure helps relax

A firm hug feels different than a light touch. With a firm hug you create deep pressure: an even pressure that goes much deeper than the skin surface. This stimulus penetrates deeper skin layers and muscles and joints. This stimulates the enteroceptors and proprioceptors. As a result, you become more aware of your own body and turn inward. As a result, environmental stimuli come in less hard. This is exactly why a massage feels so good: the deep pressure makes you calm and makes it easier to relax.

In the video below, Osteopath Anja Caers explains exactly how deep pressure works.

Source: Anja Caers,www.happybabycoach.com

Want to know more about deep pressure Read the article:: Deep pressure, what exactly is that?

Hormones make you feel good

The deep pressure of a firm hug stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. Your body goes into a state of rest & digest. This means you are relaxed. The focus is mainly on the body itself and much less on the environment. In this state you produce a number of hormones that give you a nice and safe feeling, such as the cuddle hormone' oxytocin, endorphins, dopamine and serotonin. The latter is also the precursor of the sleep hormone melatonin. In addition, the production of the stress hormone cortisol is also inhibited. 

The cocktail of hormones that is released during a firm hug give you a nice and safe feeling. They also have a positive effect on your health. Under the influence of these fine hormones you connect faster with others, you suffer less from stress and strengthen your immune system. In young babies, the hormones ensure that the brain develops better and that your little one gets sick less quickly. So only benefits!

That same feeling in bed

Nothing is nicer than a firm hug from mom or dad, but you and your baby also need rest. Do you also want to give this nice and safe feeling when your baby goes to sleep? Our NUNKI sheet uses this technique to give your baby a firm hug in bed. The elastic band provides deep pressure on the upper body. This helps your baby relax and process stimuli, just like in the womb. Your child turns 'inside', is less sensitive to external stimuli and feels nice and safe because of the hormones that are released. This is how Fedde&Kees cuddles your baby to sleep!!

Watch this video and discover in 1 minute how exactly the NUNKI sheet works:


Our innovative NUNKI sheet has been awarded two Baby Innovation Awards in 2019. More than 20,000 babies sleep better every day with Fedde&Kees.

Check out NUNKI

Love,

Frederieke

Frederieke Meihuizen

Owner Fedde&Kees®

Ik ben Frederieke, getrouwd met Ewoud en mama van 4 kindjes. Na op veel plekken gewoond te hebben, ben ik gesetteld in Nieuwkoop. Ik werkte in de commercie tot mijn vierde kindje geboren werd. Fedde was een huilbaby en vanuit deze wanhoop heb ik de producten van Fedde&Kees bedacht. Ik gooide mijn leven om en begon met ondernemen. Sinds 2018 help ik andere ouders naar een betere slaap!