How To Strengthen Parent-baby Bond

A parent-baby bond and attachment are about responding to your newborn’s needs with love, care and warmth. When you as a parent do this, you become a special and trusted person in your baby’s life. Here’s how you can bond with your newborn through different ways like a massage, lullaby and more.

BabyChakra

Nourishing Baby Massage Oil

₹ 299

Add To Bag

Understand Your Newborn’s Behaviour

Your newborn uses different body language to show you when they want to connect with you. Hence, if you are looking to strengthen the parent-baby bond, notice these little indications from your newborn:

• Your baby makes little noises, like coos or laughs
• Smiles at you or makes eye contact
• Looks interested and relaxed

Ways To Bond With Your Newborn

A warm and gentle affection makes your baby feel safe and it helps build the parent-baby bond. You can bond with your newborn through your physical interactions like giving them things to look at, listen to and feel. Try out these ideas to build a lovely parent-baby bond:

• Touch and cuddle your newborn regularly. Right from birth, your baby can feel even the gentlest touch. Try stroking your infant gently during a nappy change or at bath time.
• Hold your baby and try holding your baby against you, skin on skin. You can also try gently rocking your baby. When outside or doing your tasks, you can carry your baby safely in a carrier or sling.
• Do respond to your baby’s crying. You might not always be able to tell why your baby is crying. However, responding lets your newborn know that you’re always there.
• Make your baby feel physically safe. To keep your baby protected, provide good head and neck support while you’re holding your baby. You may also try wrapping your baby which recreates the protected feeling of being in the womb.
• Talk to your baby as frequently as you can in soothing, reassuring tones. You can talk about what you’re doing or even tell stories. This helps your baby learn to recognise the sound of your voice while helping them to learn a language later.
• Your newborn will usually like the up-and-down sounds of songs and music, along with the rhythm. Hence, you can try singing songs. Soothing music might help you and your baby feel calmer too. 
• Look into your baby’s eyes while you talk, make facial expressions and sing. It helps your baby learn the connection between words and feelings.

Building a parent-baby bond is a complex and personal experience that takes time. There’s no magic formula to it and it can’t be forced. With time, things get more predictable and hence both you and your partner will feel more confident to bond with your newborn and raise him/her.

Cover image credit – Canva