In these times of social distancing, gestures of affection have become risk factors for coronavirus . They are a source of contagion but also of undeniable well-being. A team of Japanese scientists has wanted to delve into these positive aspects of the expression of affection and have undertaken the search for the "perfect hug" for a baby.

Researchers at Toho University, Tokyo, have measured the calming effects of this physical contact in very young children, both when their parents hugged them with different intensity and when those who did so were unknown. The hugs lasted a maximum of 20 seconds.

Babies' heart rates were those that revealed how they felt when they were simply in their arms, when medium pressure was exerted on them, or when they were somewhat stronger .

According to the study results, published in the scientific journal Cell, the children calmed more when that hug was of moderate intensity. And the duration cannot be excessive either. Scientists determined that it is almost impossible to avoid "a baby's mood swings if we give him a hug for a minute or more."

And without big surprises, the study also confirms that infants over 125 days were calmer if that sign of affection came from one of their parents in front of a stranger. The final, if a baby could claim the perfect hug, he would ask his mom or dad and, yes, do not squeeze too much .

The hug is a spiral that generates well-being for the whole family. It also causes calming effects on parents. When one person takes another into their arms, their body secretes oxytocin, the "happiness hormone," although during this study, the researchers note, that physical contact was too short to see its influence on the results.

This study, say its authors, is the first to scientifically measure the psychological effects of a hug on a baby and could help to deepen the understanding of how parent-child bonds develop and even early detection of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

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