DISCLAIMER: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may get a commission if you decide to purchase something through my links at no cost to you. Please read my Disclaimer for more info.
DISCLAIMER: This post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding you or your baby’s health. Please read my Medical Disclaimer for more info
The bond you develop with your baby is crucial for your child to develop secure attachments which can positively influence them for the rest of their lives!
Whether you’re breastfeeding or not, you can do things to bond with your baby daily!
In one study, “The results of this research suggest that our ability to love, trust, and resolve conflict stems in part from how we’re treated as infants,” explains study author Jeff Simpson, Ph.D., adjunct professor of psychology at the University of Minnesota.
Research in Psychological Science suggests that attentive mothers buffer kids against chronic stress, which can cause sleep disorders, digestive problems, memory impairment, depression, and obesity.
Now let’s get into some tips on how you can start bonding with your baby today!
1. Look Into Your Baby’s Eyes
Whether you’re breast or bottle-feeding, keeping eye contact while feeding your baby will strengthen your bond because you will be connecting, and your baby can smell you, hear your heartbeat, and feel your skin.
2. Skin-to-Skin
Skin-to-skin helps build connections that last a lifetime. It also lowers both mama and baby’s stress levels, regulates your baby’s temperature, breathing, heart rate, and blood sugar!
TIP: You can also do skin-to-skin while baby-wearing!
3. Give Your Baby a Massage
General tips for giving your baby a massage include:
- Make it a routine (before bedtime)
- Use non-toxic baby lotion or baby oil
- Make strokes gentle but firm and not ticklish
- Follow your baby’s signals if they’re not in the mood for it or need something else
- Baby massages can last from 10-30 minutes
4. Look in the Mirror Together
This can be an enjoyable and adorable activity to do together. This will also allow your baby to see both yours and their own face, which babies will typically love!
5. Don’t Stress the Milestones
I’d say the critical concept to understand in regards to bonding is being as present as possible. It can be tempting to look for when your baby should start doing new things, but if you keep looking ahead to the future, you’ll miss out on the now!
6. Responsive Parenting
The Harvard Family Research Project defines responsive parenting as “the use of warm and accepting behaviors to respond to children’s needs and signals” (2012).
Principles of responsive parenting include:
- Show love without condition
- Feeding responsively to baby’s hunger cues
- Responding to your baby’s cries (including during the night!)
Your baby needs to know you will be there, and pick them up when they cry will build trust.
7. Read to Your Baby
Reading to your baby is a fantastic way to bond! Your baby will see images, hear your voice that comforts them, and build this habit early to set your baby up for loving books and reading time.
8. Dance Together
Dancing with your baby while holding or wearing them is an entertaining way to bond together and introduce your baby to music and dancing!
9. Relish in Feeding Time
When it’s time for your baby to start solids at 6 months, ignore the mess and instead enjoy watching your baby explore new tastes, textures, and smells.
Learn more about how to introduce solids to your baby in The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Introducing Solids.
10. Leave the Mess
Leave the mess and cuddle with your baby on the couch instead! Be present, and once they fall asleep, you can take a nap with them or put your baby into a wrap or carrier and then clean if you like!
11. Talk to Your Baby
Talk to your baby often. You can tell them when you’re feeling stressed, sad, anxious, etc. Many mamas experience loneliness in the beginning stages of taking care of their new baby, and talking to your baby won’t help while also bonding with your baby.
12. Make the Most of Diaper Changes
Sing, be silly, and have fun with your baby during the diaper changes!
13. Give Many Kisses
Your baby loves your kisses, and at this age, they can’t get enough of them, so kiss them as often as you please!
14. Put Your Phone Away
As I mentioned, I believe presence is KEY! Of course, you don’t need to have your phone put away all day, but everyone will understand if you don’t respond within a couple of hours.
15. Teach Your Baby Sign Language
Teaching your baby sign language is a fantastic way to bond, make eye contact, and teach your baby something extremely beneficial!
Sign language creates a way for your baby to communicate with you before learning to vocalize words. Learn more about teaching your baby sign language here!
Remember that if you didn’t experience “love at first sight” after your baby was born and you felt like you were looking at a stranger, you did NOT fail!
This is normal for some parents to go through. Give yourself grace and continue these tips to start building or enhancing your bond and relationship with your baby.
Let me know in the comments below some of your baby’s favorite ways to bond.♡
You got this, mama!
Sources:
Responsive parenting research study
DISCLAIMER: This post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding you or your baby’s health. Please read my Medical Disclaimer for more info
DISCLAIMER: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may get a commission if you decide to purchase something through my links at no cost to you. Please read my Disclaimer for more info.
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