As new mums, welcoming your baby
into the world holds inexplicable feelings like no other. Experiencing
overwhelming waves of adoration for your little one as you embrace them in your
arms for the first time sets the stage for a blossoming relationship.
In fact, your baby was already
developing a bond with you in the womb from the moment you were expecting! Your
heartbeat has been a soothing constant, and your little one’s heart races at
the sound of your voice. Since the very start, you’ve given your precious one
the warmth and security they are familiar with, thus laying the groundwork for
an inseverable connection between you and your child.
Before your newborn’s arrival, the
first three months of their infant development is crucial for strengthening
your bond with them. As your baby is adjusting to life on the outside–adapting
from the temperature-controlled comfort of the womb to new lights and sounds–,
they’re flooded with a rush of sensory information.
Your
child relies on you to ease them into this new transitional phase and respond
to their basic needs. With that, you’d want to be informed on what
to expect after childbirth and give your precious ones only
the best. To help you start offering utmost care, here are five approaches you
can adopt to establish strong ties between you and your little one!
1. Breastfeeding your newborn
Breastfeeding creates an
incredible opportunity for you to bond with your child. To foster a stellar
relationship with your little one from early on, having skin-to-skin contact is
paramount as it encourages them to feel safe and loved in your arms. As your
baby snuggles up against you to nurse, they familiarise themselves with your
heartbeat, scent, and the sensation of your touch – recognising you as their
primary pillar of support.
Nursing also releases calming
hormones such as prolactin and oxytocin, which promote relaxation and
attachment. This is the moment when your newborn learns to trust you, for your
warmth reassures them! Furthermore, these hormones enhance your maternal
instincts. You’ll find yourself regularly engaging in maternal behaviour like
caressing your child and using affectionate language to respond to their
needs.
2. Engaging in baby talk with your little
one
Amidst your postpartum recovery,
take time to interact with your bundle of joy and partake in bonding activities
together. Think peek-a-boo games, singing lullabies as they drift off to sleep,
or engaging in sweet baby talk with your young one as you change their diaper.
These little moments in which you communicate with your infant are critical,
for they lay the groundwork in honing your baby’s early language skills.
For new mums, having conversations
with your baby may feel one-sided, for they’re unable to vocalise their
thoughts just yet. However, have you ever noticed how your child moves their
head and smiles at you while you speak? Their unique cues of responding to
parents are by grinning or babbling! These are milestones worth celebrating,
for they are signs that indicate your newborn’s desire to start a conversation
with you.
During the first 10 to 12 months
of your baby’s development, they memorise the words you frequently use. By
talking to your child more often, not only are you inviting them to participate
in the relationship both of you share actively, but it also helps them to
filter new information they are receiving from the outside world.
3.
Making eye contact with your baby
Eye gaze is one of the first
milestones newborns achieve, and an exciting one at that! It lets parents know
that their child acknowledges them as someone important: their caregiver. When
you and your little one’s eyes meet, an emotional connection is established.
This is because the mutual gaze is a shared communicative experience, as it
conveys information about a reciprocal interest and love.
The significance of eye gaze
impacts both your baby’s emotional and intellectual development. They start
making associations of the world around them: between food and feeder, voices
and people, and what it means to be happy and comforted. Your child then builds
capacities to engage, relate to others, and respond to different forms of
communication.
Additionally, as your young one is
still getting to grips with how their body works, you may realise that they
start to imitate your facial expressions and gestures. Thus, the more
expressive you are during the conversations you have with your newborn, the
better they’ll be at processing their emotions.
4. Giving your child a gentle massage
Source:
Khoa Pham on Unsplash
Mums, you know what happens when
you put your baby down: they begin to cry. Pick them up, and they calm down
immediately. But if rocking your newborn in your arms is a soothing experience
for them, then imagine the benefits a gentle massage will offer! Studies have
shown that infants thrive with a full-body massage, for it reduces crying and
fussiness. It even helps them to sleep better at night!
Plus, massages are excellent for
your child’s emotional well-being. Affectionate touch and rhythmic movement are
the most powerful forms of communication between a mother and child, bringing
both of you closer. While handling a newborn isn’t easy, a gentle rubdown can
calm their nerves. It also helps you to understand your baby’s cues and respond
to their needs quicker.
5.
Showering your infant with attention and kisses
Perhaps the easiest way to foster
an eternal bond with your child is to lavish them with attention and love. The
moment your newborn enters this world, you’re all they see and know, which is
why they turn to you for affection and support.
As parents, having a baby is one
of life’s greatest blessings, so relish those intimate moments and spoil them
with plenty of love! Kiss their toes, tickle their tummies, and tell them just
how much they mean to you. Although your child may not understand words just
yet, they’re sensitive to the feelings you wish to convey.
Conclusion
Babies need a healthy connection
with their parents to feel secure and develop self-esteem. However, it’s okay
if your bond with your child isn’t immediate – and it doesn’t mean you love
them any less.
Some mums feel a special
attachment when they hold their newborn for the first time, while others take
longer to bond with their infants. But so long as you continue to nurture them
with love and warmth, you’ll eventually foster a bond of a lifetime with your
baby.
