Simple Ways to Bond With Your Baby
with
Kathy Moore
Creating and nurturing the bond between parent and child starts at infancy. Find out how both mothers and fathers can begin to enhance that special bond with their babies by adding a few easy but meaningful gestures to their daily activities.
Transcript: Simple Ways to Bond With Your Baby
Hi, I'm Kathy Moore for About.com. Bonding with your baby is important to her development. Luckily, it is also a very natural thing for most parents. This program will demonstrate some of the easiest ways to create that bond.Bonding Through Touch
Aside from food, one of the most significant things any parent can provide to their baby is skin to skin contact. Whether it is through a gentle touch, holding, snuggling or rocking your baby, this physical contact teaches your baby that they are safe and secure. Scientists even think that bonding may help develop a child is positive self-esteem.This personal touch also happens many times throughout the day by necessity. When you feed your baby regardless if it is from the breast or bottle, when you change your baby's clothes, bathe her and even when your changing a diaper all provide opportunities to further the bond with your baby. Infant massage is an ideal way to bond with your baby.
Bonding Through Eye Contact
Another way to bond is close eye to eye contact. Newborns vision is limited at first, so keeping in close sight of your child will help her to bond with you. Have a starring contest and be amazed at how long she can gaze at you. It is also fun to watch as your baby learns to imitate your facial expressions.Talk to Your Baby
Talking also offers a simple way to connect with your baby. While you perform daily tasks like changing a diaper, talk to your infant while you give them that soft touch of their cheek, arm or tummy. Any conversation is fine, as long as it is in a calm voice. This communication helps her to understand basic language and speech patterns.Father and Baby Bonding
Bonding happens naturally for a breastfeeding mother and baby. Infants respond to the smell and touch of their mother and can recognize her almost immediately. And bonding should not be limited to Mom. Dads can read, sing and bottle feed babies. Letting your baby touch you, feel your face, ears, and hair, can be very powerful.Adapt Your Bonding Time
As you learn your child's personality and preferences, you will find fun ways to increase your bonding time. I like to rest my baby on my bent legs while I rest in our recliner. We watch each other, smile, talk, and I gently move her arms and legs. It is special time for the both of us.Regardless of what you do or do not do, after spending countless hours with your child, a bond will be created. And seeing that first real smile is one of the most pleasurable parts of being a parent. Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit us on the Web at About.com.