Bonding With Your Baby

By: Susan Carranza

Yahoo! You have been waiting 9 months for this, and here it is! Your new baby is finally here! Now what? It is hard to imagine that you have brought a new life into this world, isn't it? You want the best for your newborn!  You have brought a new person into this world, and you will be accountable for shaping their life. That's an awesome responsibility! All of that begins with connecting with your newborn. Bonding is one of the really significant things that parents can do for their child. When your newborn bonds with you, it uses all of its senses. Here are some tips to assist:

Vision/Sight:  Your baby's eyesight is not too good when it is a newborn. About ten inches is as far as it can focus. That's fine for their requirements now. You may be amazed to know that studies show that your baby would rather look at you, instead of some brightly colored objects. So, make sure that you are close enough for your newborn to see you. During feeding time is a good time to do this. Let them touch your face with their little hands, and make eye contact with them.

Tactile or Touch:  1 of the most highly developed senses in your baby is touch. It is vital to make them feel safe and secure. So, snuggle and caress your newborn! Studies confirm that massaging babies actually may make them learn better as well. Don't fret if you are executing it correctly, just do it! Many have discovered that putting their newborn in a Snugly while they do household chores, is very soothing. Baby will probably fall asleep, listening to your heartbeat.

Auditory or Their Hearing:  An infant is stimulated by a mother's voice. Mothers use calming words, and are inclined to speak to their baby in a naturally higher pitched voice. Say your newborns name, coo and sing to them. You can make a monkey of yourself, and they like to hear it!

Smell:  Studies confirms that your baby clearly recognizes your smell. This recognizable scent soothes your baby.

Do not forget that your baby is an individual, and will be different from any other child. Do not overwhelm or over stimulate your child. Your baby may give you signs that they are tired of play or stimulation, such as yawning, frowning, rubbing their eyes, breaking eye contact or wriggling away. This may show that they are ready for rest time.

Many specialists advise that you put your newborn on its back to sleep. Lots of parents become anxious, because babies can develop a condition known as “occipital plagiocephaly of positional origin”. This simply means that the infants head is flatter on one side than the other from always sleeping in the same position. Giving your newborn some “tummy time” can help to avoid this condition. Use play time to do this. Your baby will improve their muscles, by trying to push themselves up using their arms. Get down with your baby, and smile, stick your tongue out, chuckle and croon to them. Hold a mirror up to baby, and see their response! Move brightly colored items in front of their eyes, and see them track movement. This is a great way to bond with your infant.

Do not leave out Dad! Mom's already have created a physical biochemical bond with the baby before it was born, by carrying it for 9 months. Many times fathers feel left out. Involve Dad in Dr. appointments, and the pre-natal care of baby. Have him feed baby whenever possible. Even if you are breastfeeding, Dad can be included. Moms can take a break, and let Dad take charge of a crying infant from time to time. Dads can participate in bathing and dressing (and of course, changing diapers). Everything that Mom does, such as cooing, and cuddling the baby; are things that Dad can do as well. As baby grows, they require more and more stimuli. Dads are normally wonderful at providing that. Play time and “tummy time” are wonderful times to make sure that Dad is involved.

Showing off the new baby to friends and family is an added benefit. Babies love all of the extra attention that they get from family and friends, and bond with them as well. So take pleasure in the attention that your baby creates.

The experience of bonding with your newborn is what matters the most. Just a gentle touch, simple smile, or laughing together, will help parents place their child on the track toward a favorable future.

About the Author

Surround your baby with soft things. Get all of the wonderful soft and sweet things that your baby needs at: http://www.grandgiftsforbabies.com/

Susan has been a nurse for over 30 years with expertise in many areas. She has 3 children and 15 grandchildren.

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