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Hygge was the big buzzword of last Autumn and Winter. It usually evokes images of snuggling under big cosy blankets, with a roaring fire and candles, whilst sipping from mugs of hot chocolate. Whilst that can be a hygge moment, it’s not just what it is all about. Hygge basically sums up the essence of creating a nice, happy, warm atmosphere, enjoying the good things in life with the people you love, whatever the weather.
With the focus being on having quality time with your favourite people, who better to experience hygge with than your child? Someone who knows nothing about the true stresses of life, someone who really is happy with the simple things in life – food, drink, warmth and the presence of those they love?
Research from Infacol, Britain’s number one colic relief remedy, shows that 74% of UK mums agree that the first six months with a new baby are the most stressful and that more than half (65%) say that until you have a baby, you can’t imagine the worry involved.
The Danish believe that hygge reduces stress and can have a calming influence on babies and young children. Child psychologist and parenting expert Iben Sandahl says:
“If you are calm, your baby’s behaviour will reflect that. Be sincere in your presence and feel gratitude for the life that you are living – that’s how to create a hygge moment”
I can definitely believe this. Harrison was a colicky baby, with a touch of reflux which made the first few months really difficult, especially on the evenings. I was stressed, his dad was stressed, and I think he picked up on that and it made things even more difficult. I remember the day it felt like we turned a corner – and now, looking back, it was a definite hygge moment. It was December, freezing cold and pouring with rain. He was whingy and I could find myself getting more and more worked up. I decided to shut the curtains early and switch on the Christmas tree lights. We snuggled up under a big blanket and watched The Muppet Christmas Carol. Of course, him being only six months old, he had no idea what was going on but he relaxed and was so chilled out – because I was relaxed and chilled out. We had all the elements of typical hygge – blankets, ambient lighting – but it was more us being snuggled up and enjoying each other’s company that was true hygge.
I asked a few fellow bloggers the different ways which they create hygge moments for their babies and young children. Zara from Mojo Blogs said ‘think about soft colours and textures, warm cosy room, wooden mobiles and natural material toys. Instead of bright lighting, look at softer tones’. Alex from Dad F.C also agreed with having wooden toys because they are ‘simple, honest, environmentally friendly and not digital…essentially back to nature’. Danielle from Someone’s Mum loves to snuggle up under one of the many blankets they keep n the living room (glad it’s not just me with loads of throws and blankets!) and watch a film. Kelly, from The Best Version of Kelly likes to do this, but with mugs of warm milk and lavender spray as well. I really like Debbie from My Boys Club‘s idea of making cushions from their favourite t-shirts – perfect for snuggling! Holly from Little Pickle’s Mom likes to hide under big muslin squares with her little one and look at battery-operated fairy lights – a perfect experience for the really little ones! Jenni from Chilling with Lucas loves ceiling star shows and nursery rhymes (Harrison used to love his star projector lamp!).
So there you have it – babies and young children can benefit so much from hygge, and to be honest, when you look at those ideas, we’ve probably all been doing it for years and years anyway, without having a name for it!
How do you create hygge moments for your babies and young children?