When people see me with my daughter, now two-and-a-half years old, they can sense that we have a very strong bond. I can tell when my child is hungry by the sound of her voice. Her facial expression tells me when she is thirsty. If I'm upset about something, she is the first one to sense it.
Strangely, I didn't expect this to happen. When I was pregnant, my biggest fear was that we would not develop the bond we needed for trust and communication. Fortunately, the good advice of many parenting experts-- and experienced parents-- enabled me to bond effectively with my baby starting at birth. The following tips can help you bond with your new baby.
1.Give birth naturally. A natural birth is the first step toward a long-term bond with your new baby. When an undrugged mother gives birth to an undrugged newborn, the two make eye contact instantly. They initiate breastfeeding more quickly. They respond to each other's voices and gestures. There's no need to feel guilty if you need medical interventions, and medication will not permanently hinder your ability to bond. However, it's best to aim for a natural birth if at all possible.
2. Breastfeed. A bottle-feeding mother can effectively bond with her newborn, but breastfeeding is a superb way to kick-start your bond with your new baby. A nursing mother's biology is directly attuned to her baby's. Your breasts may leak when the baby is hungry. You may wake up instinctively when he needs to nurse. Your body often knows more about your baby's needs than you do, and nursing can help you to more intimately understand your baby's physical and emotional needs.
3. Read stories. New mothers often spend long periods of time "just sitting" with the new baby. While there is nothing wrong with enjoying "just sitting," these calm periods are a great time to introduce your baby to the wonders of reading. In the early newborn days, this introduces your baby to your voice and intonation. Later, your baby will begin learning words and concepts from the books. Even if your baby is too young to listen, children's books are a perfect way to foster a lasting bond.
4. Cuddle. After your baby has spent nine months developing inside your body, abrupt separation from you can be very scary. Hold your baby close to your chest so that he can hear your heartbeat. Rock him, sing to him, and tell him how happy you are to have him. This not only helps to reassure your new baby-- it also enables you to become familiar with him as an individual. Use this time to become familiar with his scent, sound and facial expressions. Your little cuddle-bear won't want to cuddle with you twelve years from now, so enjoy these precious moments while you have them.
5. Take care of yourself. Your bond with your new baby will quickly turn into resentment if you do not take periodic breaks from the enormous responsibility of fully interactive newborn care. When the baby is having a nap, use the time to snooze, call a friend, or take a shower-- not catch up on laundry and housework. You will not do yourself or your baby any favors by neglecting your own needs.
No comments:
Post a Comment