Promotion of Baby Bonding

Research suggests that close physical contact but not food, is the most important factor in the formation of a baby’s first emotional attachment -- with parents or parent substitutes. Bonding with baby is about welcoming his into your world. By establishing a special relationship with him, you will be expressing just how much you love and care for him.

Some parents bond at first sight of their newborns, some need days. Either way, strong bonding will form by spending time interacting with your baby. Through this initial baby bonding process, you will also help your baby lay the foundation for developing other loving relationships in his life later.
 

Bonding at birth

Hold and look at your newborn as soon as possible. This interaction will fill you with strong feelings of love and protectiveness. Do not be surprised if this is not the case especially if the mother is exhausted and drained emotionally and physically after the delivery. In this instance, do rest for at least an hour before requesting to hold your baby. Breastfeeding is a superb way of bonding with your newborn. Try to breast feed your baby as soon as possible, ideally within an hour after birth.
 

Bonding with baby in the first few months

Babies like to be cuddled in close body contact. You will notice that putting your newborn in a position hat stimulate clinging a reassuring cuddle will often work wonders when the baby feels upset. You can also use baby carrier aids such as baby slings or backpacks.
 

Bonding with baby after temporary separation

If mother and baby were separated after birth for some reasons, do not feel guilty if you do not fall in love immediately after you see your baby. Take each day as it comes to care for your baby, there will be plenty of time to bond with your baby. In time, your love for your baby will develop.
 

Effective baby bonding

The more you and the baby communicate, the stronger you will bond with each other. It is easy and rewarding to have intimate conversations with your baby although he is not able to speak. Your baby will response with expressions, movements and noises to tell you that he is happy. Here are some ways which you can promote more effective baby bonding:

* Let baby see your smiling face, watch his eyes light up
* Cuddle him as close as possible, enjoy the feeling of closeness
* Stroke your baby’s hair and skin gently and fill him with the feeling of warmth and security
* End each bath time with a happy cuddle
* Massage him with baby oil
* Speak or sing softly to him always, especially during breast feeding
* Play with your baby when he is awake, watch him wriggle and kick happily

Do not worry of spoiling your baby, respond to him freely. Comfort him when he cries, even when he has learnt to do so just to catch your attention.
 

Alarming signs

The presence of some psychological disturbances should alert you that the bonding with baby is not taking place in a smooth and predicted manner. These include feeding and digestive problems, sleep irregularities, excessive sucking activity, excessive movements, crying and irritability, and difficulty to pacify the baby. In extreme cases, lethargy, failure to thrive and developmental arrest may happen.
 

More on Normal Early Childhood Development