Have you ever thought of becoming A new Parent and how you should bond with your Baby? Becoming a parent is a development process or stage filled with love ,joy and responsibility. One of the greatest beautiful journey is the opportunity to bond with your new baby. Bonding not only plays the role of togetherness and closeness ,but also strengthens the emotional and cognitive development.
Most of the New Parents have worries on how to create those heartwarming moments. I have prepared for you 10 Heartwarming activities that can help you strengthen the bond with your baby.
1. Skin-to-skin contact
From the time your baby is born, you should practice skin to skin contact or kangaroo. Make sure everytime you hold your baby against you bare skin either on the chest which promotes physical closeness and warmth.It also helps in offering comfort and security.
2 .Bath time
Bath time can be fun and bonding experience. Gently wash your baby with soap,even allowing them to touch the soft cotton which you are using to wash her. Sometimes the kid tend to wash herself,just let her wash even if it means rubbing herself with the cotton. Splash water and allow them to tap the water to produce the sound ,which helps them to enjoy.
3. Baby Massage
After the baby has taken the bath,take the chance to gently massage your baby. While you're holding your baby close, gradually start stroking their legs and back. Then move on to other areas such as arms. Your baby should be calm,alert when giving massage.
Benefits of Baby Massage
- Promotes social, emotional and cognitive development.
- Helps a baby to relax and release tensions of daily stimuli.
- Decreases irritability and excessive crying.
- Reduces gas,colic and intestinal difficulties.
It's not best time for a massage ,when your baby turns their head away from you or stiffens their arms(according to Mayo Clinic).You should not do massage immediately after the child has eaten, because it will make the baby to vomit.
4. Eye Contact and Smiles
Baby are naturally drawn to faces that smile and eye contact. You can make various facial expressions,smile and gaze into your baby's eyes which makes the baby to learn non-verbal communication and develop relationship skills. For example when you smile and make eye contact, you show your child how to relate warmly with others.
Also you can try to imitate what your child is saying thus developing listening skills to the child.
5. Tummy Time
Tummy Time refers to placing baby on their stomach, while they are awake and someone is watching them. You can start a tummy time a day or two days after they are born. As your child gets older,you can have longer,more regular sessions throughout the day. You can start by:
- Spreading the blanket or a mat on a clear area of the floor.
- Place the a rolled up towel under baby's arms to help prop them up slightly.
- Put a toy within baby's reach to help baby interact with the surrounding and learn to play.
- Then sit infront of the baby to encourage interaction and bonding.
Benefits of tummy Time
a)Strengthens baby's neck, shoulder and arms for easier sit up,crawl and walk.
b)Prevents flat spots on back of the baby's head.
c) Helps in motor skills
6. Baby Sign Language
Try to use simple baby sign language that are easily understood by your baby. You can use various signs to mean various activities. For example ,when the baby wants to breastfeed ,you can use your mouth by holding your both lips together and start mimicking
When feeling hungry and she wants to eat you can you use both your fingers and hold them together as you continue rubbing them close to your mouth or you can make a yarn or make a C shape with hands as if you are holding the cup then move it to your mouth.
When saying "Yes"you can use 👍,when saying "No " you can use your index ☝️ finger and shake it .
Baby Sign Language reduces frustrations and strengthens your understanding of each other.
7. Explore Nature Together
Taking your child around your backyard,either in the garden,flower gardens and tear some flowers 🌻 🌹 🌺 or walking around the forest,makes the child to enjoy the natural nature of creation. You can also try to lie down and watch the sky ,or even at night you can take him and watch the stars and moon. The cool and fresh air, sights and sounds of the birds,provides a stimulating experience for both of you.
8. Singing and lullabies
Singing your favourite baby songs to him/her makes your baby to enjoy the melody and sounds of your voice,and provide comfort and familiarity.It also helps in good brain development and makes the baby to a fall asleep easily.
9. Reading A loud
You can choose age appropriate story books and start reading aloud to your baby. Even if the baby doesn't understand the flow of the story,but the baby can hear the soothing sounds of your voice . Reading helps in the language development and bonding.
10. Baby wearing
Baby wearing is the practice of carrying a baby in a sling or baby carrier. Baby wearing promotes attachment and bonding.
It also makes parents to be more responsive to their baby's needs and mother's are more likely to breastfeed easily.
Conclusion
Bonding with your new baby is an incredible and heartwarming journey. Taking bath time,baby Massage, singing lullabies, reading aloud creates beautiful moments. Each child has got her own uniqueness and the most important thing is to be present, patient and responsive to your babies cues. Cherish these early moments and they are the foundations for a strong,loving bond that will last a lifetime.
Do you have any other tips on creating bonding with your baby? You can help me in the comment section and help me to share the content to New Parents in the city.
1 comment:
That is so sweet and true. Thank you for your advices. Also do you have any tips for helping the bond between toddler and newborn? I would love to read more from you!
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