The Hug Plan: Human Touch for Baby Development and Bonding

By leveraging the power of touch and supporting skin-to-skin contact for newborns, Huggies® helps ensure that babies thrive both physically and emotionally from the very beginning

The Science of Human Touch

Over 600 scientific studies underline the critical impact of human touch on babies, showing improved regulation of body temperature, stable heart rates, better oxygen levels and stronger parent-child attachment. Our Hug Whitepaper highlights these benefits and advocates for educational initiatives and volunteer hugging programs in hospitals

Different Types of Touch

1. Holding and rocking: Helps regulate physiological responses and provides comfort after painful procedures.
2. Facilitated tucking: Supports behavioral and physiological regulation during medical procedures.
3. Infant massage: Benefits sleep, growth and overall physical health.
4. Skin-to-skin contact (SSC)/kangaroo care (KC): Promotes cardiorespiratory stability, better oxygen levels and enhanced parent-infant interaction.
5. Kangaroo mother care (KMC): Continuous skin-to-skin contact with the mother supports mental health, weight gain and reduced stress.

Positive Effects of Touch

Research shows that all forms of touch, especially skin-to-skin contact, significantly benefit babies by providing pain relief, physiological stability, improved sleep, enhanced growth and stronger parent-infant bonds. These benefits extend into long-term positive outcomes, supporting healthy physical and cognitive development.

Importance of Skin-to-Skin Contact

Skin-to-skin contact is crucial for newborns physiological and emotional development. It fosters a deep bond between parents and their baby, helping regulate the baby s body temperature, heart rate and stress levels while also supporting breastfeeding and healthy brain development

Huggies® Involvement

Huggies® Hug Plan Tool
The Hug Plan Tool is designed to help expecting parents plan for skin-to-skin contact with their newborns immediately after birth. This tool supports parents providing the essential touch their babies need from the moment they are born, ensuring optimal development and bonding.

The Miracle of Hugs
Huggies® believes in the transformative power of hugs. Through No Baby Unhugged Hospital Hugging Grants, Huggies® has supported over 30 hospitals in establishing hugging programs, ensuring NICU babies receive necessary touch even when parents aren't available.

Access to Resources
Parents and healthcare providers can download the Hug Plan tool from Huggies®, offering a structured approach to incorporating skin-to-skin contact into birth plans. This tool, along with more Huggies® educational resources, underscores our dedication to the well-being and development of newborns.

Download Whitepaper

Download Hug Plan Tool