Kangaroo Cuddles…A Subconscious Memory

Scrolling through Instagram I came across an earlier post I had done in 2022 which I still think is accurate years later. It went like this…

I do wonder what lasting effects Kangaroo Cuddles have had on my little one…He will be four in a month and a few weeks ago, he had come down with hand, foot and mouth disease. He had blisters all over his tongue, making it sore and swollen, even giving him a lisp when he spoke.

Oh the joys of preschool and what the kiddies bring home! 🏡

During one of those late nights, I recall him waking from his sleep and wondering into my room. As I was still downstairs, he started to cry and lay on my bed. My eldest, who is very nurturing, came into the room to cuddle and pat him back to sleep but he only became more agitated.

As soon as I lay next to him with his head on my chest, you can feel and hear his body calm, his breathing regulate and deepen, until he is relaxed and drifts back to sleep. Within one minute of me being there he was back asleep.

It very well could be that, he just wanted his mum but I do wonder if there are memories stored there. Memories of the very many hours of Kangaroo Cuddles we did together, every day in the NICU.

I wonder if his senses remember this feeling of safety and nurturing even before he knew that, I was his mum.

Maybe it was my scent or the familiar sound of my heart beating in his ear. I can’t help but think that due to the Kangaroo Cuddles, it’s a combination of all of the above. Now a subconscious memory which enabled him to relax and calm so quickly. 💙

Being such an important part of the NICU journey, we touch on this in The Premie Journal which is such an invaluable gift for someone going through this special and emotional experience.