INFANT & TODDLER
Bonding with Baby B
onding is a special connection you have with your baby. Bonding with your baby is not a one-time event. It is a process that takes time.
As your baby’s eyes adjust, they will make better eye contact with you. They will start to watch you and copy your moves and looks. Your voice also is a big part of bonding. Babies react to different voices and tones. Calm and Bonding with your baby is a process. It even happy voices tend to be soothing. Loud, harsh can start during pregnancy. You can connect to voices make babies anxious. your baby by talking to them in the womb. You Your baby’s first verbal response is crying. This interact with them when they kick your is how they tell you they need something. stomach. Partners should be in the delivery Sometimes, it might seem like all they do is room and visit your baby in the nursery after cry. Babies respond differently, so take time to birth. You also can ask your doctor to share a learn. You might find that certain types of hospital room with your baby. crying mean certain things. One type of cry Certain everyday events lend themselves to bonding. You spend time with your baby during feedings, baths, and diaper changes. You also sleep near your baby. You can have a separate crib in your room or one that attaches to your bed. It is important not to put your baby in your bed. It puts the baby at risk for sleep-related deaths. There are other ways to promote bonding. Some babies, like premature ones, need extra movement. Infant massage can help increase flow and relax nerves. Be careful because newborns are growing and might be fragile. Talk to your doctor and educate yourself before trying a massage. You also can include your baby in daily activities. Wear them in an approved carrier while running errands. Place them in a seat so they can watch you doing chores or working. You are getting to know your newborn as much as they are getting to know you. Babies can’t talk, but there are other ways to communicate. Their senses, like touch and sound, are sensitive. Doctors recommend moms and dads have skin-to-skin contact with their baby. You can stroke their skin or give them kisses. Take turns holding, cradling, and rocking your baby. Assist your baby to feel your hair and face, and other things around them.
means they are hungry. Another type means they need a diaper change. They might cry if they get scared, and all it takes is your voice to calm them.
You always should respond to your baby’s cries, even if you don’t know why they’re crying or what they need. This aids in the bonding process. Your baby will learn to trust you. You will feel proud and happy for protecting your baby. It is impossible to “spoil” you baby in the first few months of life. Once your baby is 2 to 3 months old, their responses will improve. They will recognize your touch, voice, and face. Your baby might copy what you do, like smile or laugh. You will start to see their personality. The more time they spend awake, the more alert and curious they become. This gives you more time to interact with your baby. You should practice talking, reading, and singing to your baby. Begin to play with them more one-on-one and with toys. They also will begin to learn and explore all sorts of new things. You’ll get to watch your baby find their hands and feet, and hear all the sounds they can make. All of these things help your baby learn and grow. j familydoctor.org
“Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.”
– Mother Teresa FEBRUARY 2022 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 10
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