Building a secure connection with your newborn is extremely important. However, bonding with your newborn isn’t always an instant, magical occurrence. While some parents are flooded with love immediately, for others, the bond takes time to grow, and that could be due to all sorts of factors such as a traumatic birth, medical issues, or postpartum depression.
If it takes a while, that’s okay as long as you’re meeting your baby’s basic needs. Trust that it will happen over time and try not to stress about it. Here are 25 ways to facilitate that bond.
1. Provide lots of skin to skin contact.
Remember that being a part of you is all she’s known. Cuddling skin to skin is soothing for both baby and you.
2. Read books.
He won’t understand the story, but he’ll love listening to your voice.
3. Sing him a lullaby.
4. Talk to her during diaper changes.
5. Smile at her often.
6. Rock him to sleep.
7. Feed your baby often.
Breastfeeding is a great way to bond and to meet his needs, so do it often.
8. If you choose to bottle feed, don’t prop the bottle.
Hold him close, stroke his head, and make eye contact.
9. Provide eye contact frequently.
10. Touch is important.
Try gently rubbing her back and belly, stroking her head softly, and carefully massaging her arms and legs.
15 more tips continued on the next page…
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11. Sleep close to baby.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends sleeping in the same room on separate surfaces. Try a bedside bassinet or co-sleeper that attaches to your bed.
12. Always respond to cries promptly.
13. Wear your baby often.
14. Mimic facial expressions, coos, and vocalizations.
15. Play peek-a-boo.
16. Carve out alone time with baby.
You likely have a lot of visitors when your baby is brand new, and that’s good. Just be sure to get some down time alone to get to know your new baby.
17. Cuddle him every chance you get.
Babies feel secure when mom or dad are holding them and they can smell your scent and hear your voice.
18. Introduce your baby to lots of interesting and colorful things.
Talk to him about the textures, colors, and purpose of these objects.
19. Take a bath!
Make bath time a soothing, special time.
20. Swaddle her in a blanket.
21. Give her Eskimo kisses.
22. Create a special ritual that is just between the two of you.
23. Tell her nursery rhymes.
24. Listen to the sound of his heartbeat.
Lie him on your chest so he can listen to yours.
25. Say ‘I love you’ often.
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