One of the most precious times in life is when you bring your newborn home for the first time. You will develop a close bond with your baby over time as you nurture and love this new little human being.
Stress-free ways to create a healthy bond with your baby
Here are five ways you can encourage a healthy bond between you and your sweet newborn while you continue to support this close connection.
Spend Time Skin-to-Skin
Research has demonstrated that you’ll accelerate the bonding process if you engage in skin-to-skin cuddle time. Also known as kangaroo care, there’s a body of evidence that says this type of contact is an exceptional way to calm or comfort a baby. The close contact regulates a newborn’s temperature, breathing, and heart rate.
It may also stimulate digestion and promote a baby’s interest in feeding. As a bonus, skin-to-skin contact may also improve a mother’s milk supply. While most hospitals will encourage this type of contact immediately after birth, it’s a good idea to consider continuing the practice at home.
Communicate Throughout the Day
Even at the earliest ages, babies thrive on parental communication. Although you may feel silly at first, you can bond with your newborn by engaging in constant communication throughout the day. Talking and singing to your newborn at regular intervals will boost the bonding process.
The content of what you are saying doesn’t really matter. Simply narrating what you’re doing and how you’re feeling will go a long way in encouraging a close connection between you and your baby. Keep in mind a newborn is born able to recognize her mother and father’s voices, making this type of communication a great comfort to your baby.
Face-to-Face Communication
In addition to being intentional about skin-to-skin contact, it’s also important to engage in face-to-face communication. Good ideas to promote bonding include:
- Holding your baby close to your face and smiling. Once you see those first smiles out of your infant, be sure to smile back.
- When your baby begins to coo, return the gesture with your own cooing. All of this interaction will make your baby feel loved and valued.
- Read to your baby. The content of the book at this age is not especially relevant. It’s the formation of words and contact that will promote the bonding process.
Use a Sling or Carrier
Your new baby thrives on the warmth and familiarity of your body. This is understandable after spending so much time in the womb. Carrying your newborn in a sling or front carrier will come close to replicating this feeling. You may need to experiment with a few different types of carriers to find the one that feels most comfortable to you.
By getting in the habit of wearing your baby close to you, your infant will feel safe and secure whilst you tend to other daily tasks. This closeness will promote bonding in exponential ways.
Document the Early Stages
One of the best ways to bond with this new person in your life is to be intentional about documenting these special moments. Fully immersing yourself in this task will bring to light how much this newborn has brought to your life already. There are many ways you can remember this time.
Keeping a scrapbook or journal is an ideal way to commemorate all of the milestones.
Taking newborn pictures alongside shots of your expanding family is also a thoughtful way to remember this meaningful moment in life forever. Make sure to look for the best newborn photography in your area. For example, if you’re living in Houston search for the best newborn photography in Houston, Texas, or search by your location to find great services.
You’ll never get these first few months of life back with your newborn. Make the most out of it by doing everything you can to bond with your child during this pivotal time. The bonds you form now lay the foundation for a lifetime of closeness and connection.
Author Bio: Samantha Higgins is a professional writer with a passion for research, observation, and innovation. She is nurturing a growing family of twin boys in Portland, Oregon with her husband. She loves kayaking and reading creative non-fiction.
