Mom's Kisses Can Cure "Almost" Everything
Mom’s kisses are the best medicine. It works for tears, fear of being in the crib alone at night, indigestion, scrapes on the knees and those days when their children suffer from a cold or a fever.
This gesture that is charged with emotional vitamins “almost” has the same effect as an antibiotic.
Affectionate moms and dads who love to practice the art of embracing, kissing and raising their children in a positive atmosphere generate multiple wonderful benefits for their children.
It is worth it to recall studies carried out by Anna Freud (daughter of Sigmund Freud) on the psychological and emotional health of children.
Her work pioneered the importance of a mother figure in the life of their children. Mothers provide affection that helps their children grow in good health, maturity, happiness and personal security.
Anna Freud defended the need to get children discharged from the hospital as soon as possible. If they had to be admitted she believed that it was essential for children to be close to their mothers. When they are, the recovery of children occurs faster.
It is clear that the mother figure (as well as the father figure) don’t have any formal healing abilities. However, their positive emotions convey calmness, safety and well being which does lead to a speedy recovery.
Today here at “YouAreMom” we’ll elaborate on this topic
Mom’s kisses, caresses and hugs favor the development of a stronger immune system
Having a mom’s presence can make us feel safe, protected and loved. It makes the baby’s brain generate less stress and therefore there is less cortisol in the blood.
Let’s take an example. James is a 5-month-old baby who is not attended to when he cries. Since he was born, his parents decided that he should get used to sleeping alone in his crib as soon as possible.
James’s parents do not understand that his cries are caused by fears. He feels the sensation of being alone and abandoned. He is away from what he needs the most: his mom’s skin.
James’s brain will suffer from more stress, fear and anxiety. He will have higher levels of cortisol in his blood. This will all cause his immune system to get weaker and weaker until it is more susceptible to infections.
On the other hand, a baby that receives regular kisses from his mothers and hugs from his father will have increased amounts of endorphins and oxytocin secreted.
This also happens in children who are always consoled and cared for. Their immune systems are strengthened and the bond they share with their parents becomes intensified.
Educate with kisses and laughter in order to dry their tears
A kiss is not just a gesture used to reaffirm bonds. We offer these simple displays of affection to the people who reside in our hearts, people we love.
Something as basic as a kiss on the cheek or on the petite baby’s head can confer an instantaneous pleasurable sensation. This feeling soon acquires a positive connotation in a child’s mind. Before we know it they already start to understand the language of love.
- As the baby grows and begins to have further contact with the world; at home, with family, day-care or nursery school, they will also encounter their first challenges and difficulties.
- Believe it or not, the kisses and hugs we offer our children after a fall or when we pick them up from day-care are both great gestures to encourage their strength.
- No child becomes “spoiled” by receiving love. It is an emotional caress. A way to comfort them and let them know that whatever happens, we will always be there for them. We will always relieve their stress. Make them laugh, attend to them and make them feel safe every step of the way.
We all know there will come a day when they will feel “embarrassed” by these effusive displays of affection. However, remember, it’s just an act. An unexpected kiss can also be medicine for a teenager.
It doesn’t matter that their worries and concerns are a little more complex at that age. Deep down every teenager and adult remains a “child” in need of affection.
So, don’t ever doubt it. Don’t hold back. Educate with kisses, they are also the best medicine for the heart.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Bowlby, J. (1986). Vínculos afectivos: formación, desarrollo y pérdida. Madrid: Morata.
- Bowlby, J. (1995). Teoría del apego. Lebovici, Weil-HalpernF.
- Garrido-Rojas, L. (2006). Apego, emoción y regulación emocional. Implicaciones para la salud. Revista latinoamericana de psicología, 38(3), 493-507. https://www.redalyc.org/pdf/805/80538304.pdf
- Marrone, M., Diamond, N., Juri, L., & Bleichmar, H. (2001). La teoría del apego: un enfoque actual. Madrid: Psimática.
- Moneta, M. (2003). El Apego. Aspectos clínicos y psicobiológicos de la díada madre-hijo. Santiago: Cuatro Vientos
