Having a new baby can be both a nervous and exciting time, and while there are countless things you need to think about, bonding is one of the most important considerations. It is important that both the mother and father bond with the baby, and success in this regard can have a long term impact on your relationship with your child, as well as on the way they learn to relate to the world. The following is a look at some of the best ways to bond with your baby.
Touch
One of the most important ways to bond with your baby is through touch, which is one of the many reasons why having the mother breastfeed her baby is so important. Holding your baby and even just cuddling with them is also extremely important in helping to build up a bond.
Nursing
Breastfeeding is a fantastic way for a mother to bond with her baby, as apart from the benefits that come with physical touch, mother’s milk is also extremely beneficial, and so the baby will develop a strong bond with the mother as the one providing this fantastic fluid.
Whether you nurse your baby or use breast pumps and feed them from a bottle, having your baby drinking your milk will make a huge difference to your ability to bond with them, as they will know the milk is yours. Even if you have to go back to work and can’t continue nursing your baby, consider using a breast pump so that your baby can continue being fed that nutritious and familiar milk of yours; it will be the next best thing to being there with them.
Eye contact
Babies love eye contact, and the more of it your baby gets, the stronger your bond with them is sure to be. While you don’t need to stare into their little eyes constantly, make a point of establishing and maintaining eye contact with them regularly.
Facial expressions
Until they are able to understand what it is that you are saying, babies rely heavily on your facial expressions in order to work out what it is you are trying to communicate. Making lots of different facial expressions will show the baby you are making an effort to communicate, and will lead to developing stronger bonds, earlier.
Use your voice
Whether you sing, talk or rap, use your voice as much as possible to create a connection between you and your baby, and remember that the tone is what matters most. This will make your baby feel included, and they will usually do their best to communicate with their voices too. A warm, loving, soothing voice is just what a new baby needs most, and the comfort you will be providing them will also help to establish a solid bond between the two of you.
Play
Babies love to play, and having you engage them in silly sessions of playing will be great for their development, as well as for your ability to create a bond with them. Playing can be as simple as walking your fingers up and down their arms, or even just poking at those tiny little toes of theirs. Regardless, your baby will be able to tell that you are trying to play, and more often than not they will relish the opportunity.
