Bonding With Baby
Bonding is an emotional attachment between you and your baby. It is what makes you want to give your baby love and affection, and to provide them with protection and care. This in turn helps support your baby’s cognitive development and resilience. Bonding is what will help you wake up in the middle of the night to feed your hungry baby and help you to be attentive to your baby’s wide range of needs.
See below for the many ways you can bond with your baby.
Hold your baby skin to skin on your chest as much as possible, such as after feedings. This helps to regulate their temperature, breathing, and blood sugar levels and helps to develop a trusting bond between you and your baby.
Rooming in involves keeping your baby in the same room with you day and night, both at the hospital and at home. This helps you to respond to and learn about their needs, which can help to increase your confidence and strengthen your bond.
Your baby finds comfort in hearing your voice and other voices they heard regularly during the pregnancy. Talk, sing, and read to your baby as much as possible. This not only helps to develop a strong emotional bond with you and your baby but also helps them develop important skills such as language and communication.
Snuggling with your baby in your arms or in a carrier strapped to you, can help your baby feel safe and adjust to life outside of the womb. This is another way you can strengthen your bond – bonus points if you add in talking or singing!
Babies can see about 12-15 inches away at first, or about the length of your arms. Frequently staring into your baby’s eyes is an easy way to bond with your baby.
Spend one-on-one time with your baby doing activities that are beneficial for both of you, such as going for a walk, playing with toys, or cuddling while you read a book.