Bonding prenatally and after delivery creates a foundation for the parent-child relationship.
Here are some bonding tips:
- Place your baby on your chest after birth and put a warm blanket over both of you. Hold, touch, and talk to your baby. Your body releases hormones that encourage bonding and attachment to your baby. You and baby do not need to be separated during the first hour after delivery unless there is a medical concern.
- Have dad take off his shirt and hold baby skin to skin.
- Massage your baby.
- Sing to your baby. Sing whatever you want, it doesn’t have to be kids music.
- Read to your baby. Read prenatally and post-delivery to your baby. Babies can hear in the womb and respond to your voice.
- Talk to your baby.
- Tell your baby “I love you.”
- Soak in the smell of your newborn. Who doesn’t like the smell of a newly washed baby?
- Your breastmilk is composed of the things you eat, so it tastes different at each feeding. Eat a variety of foods to treat yourself and your baby.
- Smile! Babies love faces and newborns can see from their mother’s breast to her face.
- Use a wrap, sling or carrier and keep your baby close to you.
- Play with your baby during diaper changes. Peek-a-boo and This Little Piggy are fun games.
Jamie Bodily is founder and director of ParentsCount. Jamie offers private and group “Happiest Baby on the Block” classes encouraging gentle baby calming for fussy babies. For more-www.parentscount.com.
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