Pulling on earlobes, staying close, playing with your hair, or slipping a hand under your shirt… Have you become your child’s “security blanket”?
Some kids go through phases like this. For me, it wasn’t a phase. It was constant. Always glued to me, always close, and preferably with a hand under my shirt. It’s still the same, even now that he’s older.
"I don’t know when it started, but there was always a tiny hand making its way under my shirt. Falling asleep? Best done on my arm. Even the midwife didn’t have a concrete solution—parental closeness is one of the most basic human needs."
Skin-to-Skin is Calming
Being close is comforting for your child. It’s a way for them to feel safe. Skin is our largest organ, and being stroked, lying skin-to-skin, or touching a parent’s arm is incredibly soothing.
The “calm and connection hormone” oxytocin is released. Receiving comfort this way, with a parent’s help, provides the child with support to regulate their emotions.
But let’s be honest—it’s not always fun for the parent, especially when it’s relentless:
"Eventually, I started wearing turtlenecks to minimize access. I got so tired of it that I began sleeping with a bra once he got older. At one point, I even considered taping my shirt collar and neckline with duct tape just to have my body to myself—I’m not kidding!"
A Blanket or Stuffed Animal Could Work
Many kids find comfort with a blanket or a stuffed animal, what’s often called a “transitional object.” But my child wasn’t interested in anything except snuggling up to a parent’s body.
"That sweet but incredibly exhausting little hand eventually drove me crazy. I can’t tell you how many times I googled phrases like ‘hand under shirt,’ ‘security blanket,’ or ‘belly cuddling,’ without finding a real solution."
One day, a mom in my parenting group showed up with her baby in a carrier. For me, that was an impossible dream—you can imagine why. But she was wearing something around her neck, a necklace that wasn’t just for style. It was meant for the baby to play with…
Ta-da! There it was.
That was the moment I discovered something called a nursing necklace!
From Survival Hack to Business Idea
I started making my own nursing necklaces because I couldn’t find any that suited my taste.
I wanted beautiful designs with beads and elements that were child-friendly and non-toxic. (Yes, it took a long time to find the right materials because, surprise, not all of them are actually safe!)
And why should I be the only one to benefit from this life-saving invention?
So I started madebyHazel— and the rest is history. 😉
xoxo
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