Bonding with your newborn baby

Newborn babies learn and discover everything around them through touch and play. Although you hold an intimate connection with your baby, this connection is not to be taken for granted. It takes time to build a relationship with your bub, and it will be the same as your child grows. So where do we start?

How to bond with your newborn baby?

So you got past the scary bit the birth of your baby, and now what? Your hormones will be running high and no doubt your hormones will be all over the place, but how do you start to bond with your newborn bub?

·      Talk: you might feel a bit silly at first but babies learn language through your own and also gestures. The different tones will teach them about socialization as well as language and connection.

·      Touch: don’t be afraid, babies might be little but they love to be stroked. During you can set up a warm space and consider giving your baby a massage. Little babies tend to struggle to regulate their body temperature, and most don’t like to be naked. Consider wrapping a swaddle around them and do a small massage in parts, you can start with the feet and legs and then move to the arms and hands.

·      Play: It takes two to tango! Baby and kids have the ability to play by themselves but they need to learn first how to play. Consider bonding time with your baby by spending time together playing, initially it will be a few minutes but then the opportunities will get longer and longer as they grow.

Everything you need for playtime with your baby:

·      Learning tools for you: There are a number of learning tools out there (parenting books as well as activity cards) that can be used to get ideas to be able to play with your bub. When selecting activities, try to considering a mix of textures, colours and shapes.

·      Picture books: there is a massive variety out there. Babies won’t be able to follow a storyline, so consider books that have different textures and that are from robust materials like cardboard.

·      Baby play gym: this is a great investment. Play gyms are a bit of a structure that you place above your baby with dangling toys. With time your baby will take interest on the dangling toys and they will try to reach the these. The reaching motion will help them to develop their muscle and grip to prepare them to be able to crawl. It is also a great way to stimulate their mind and a safe place for them.

·      Baby Play mat: unlike the play gym, this mat doesn’t have any toys. The mat is a washable and safe cushioned area to place your baby for them to play and exercise. As they grow and they start moving around more it’s a safe place to keep the toys and games.

·      Look for a comforter and not just any soft toy. Beware of having too many soft toys, they attract dust and they can trigger allergic reactions like eczema and asthma. When looking for a comforter make sure that you look at a variety of option. Some comforters have the had of a soft toy, and the body of a blanket.  

There are other options to bond with your newborn baby, but above all the most important part is to keep present and to take the time to spend it with your baby. Try to manage your expectations and accept that some days you will be happy to be able to have just a shower. By adjusting your expectations you will be able to enjoy this first chapter of motherhood and make the most of this short period of time.