20 Ways How To Bond With Your Baby: Tips For Parents

How can you bond with your baby? Developing a deep psychological connection with your child is crucial for their proper upbringing and development. It's through the sense of contact with parents that children feel and understand parental love, affection, and care.

Furthermore, establishing correct contact and building trusting relationships will facilitate a smoother and more effective upbringing process.

The process of bonding with your child should begin from birth and continue throughout the growth.

In this article, we will provide tips on how to bond with your baby and maintain that bond.

Communication with a child after birth

A close emotional bond between parents and their child starts to develop right after the baby is born, starting with first sight and touch, as well as gentle stroking.

However, the mother's bond with the baby begins even before birth. During pregnancy, the mother-to-be experiences the awe-inspiring realization of new life growing within her. She engages in a mental dialogue with her baby, thinks of names, talks, reads books, and listens to music. By maintaining a healthy diet and a positive mindset, the mother contributes to the baby's well-being and fosters an optimistic outlook on life. Preparing things for the newborn and setting up the child's room also serve as channels of communication with the unborn child who already occupies the thoughts of the expectant parents. 

Finally, the birth of the child solidifies the emotional connection and brings it to life.

After numerous studies, scientists have concluded that communication with the child immediately after birth is of utmost importance for both the baby and the mother, especially in the first few hours following childbirth. Mother's bond with the baby becomes stronger.

Through bonding with the baby after birth:

• The child becomes calm, leading to less crying.

• The baby's body temperature is regulated and remains stable within the normal range of 36.5–37.5°C. Blood glucose level, heartbeat, and blood pressure are also stabilized.

• The baby's body is colonized by bacteria from the mother's body, which, combined with breastfeeding, plays a significant role in preventing allergies.

• The first eye contact is made, which is believed to be crucial for establishing a strong emotional connection.

• The rooting reflex is stimulated, as the baby, placed on the mother's stomach, begins to search for the breast and initiates breastfeeding.

• Premature babies experience reduced oxygen demand, and other general health indicators stabilize.

• Babies who have immediate skin-to-skin contact with their mothers upon birth are more likely to breastfeed effectively without requiring external assistance.

• The duration of breastfeeding is often extended.

Also: How To Calm A Crying Baby: 10 Tips

How to bond with your newborn 

So, how can you bond with your baby and ensure a successful initial meeting between parents and their child?

• After birth, when your baby is placed on your stomach, try to establish eye contact by looking into your baby's eyes and allowing your baby to see you. Touch and stroke the baby gently.

• Allow your child to rest and initiate their own search. When they find your breast, assist them in latching on to the nipple correctly. The colostrum, even in a few drops, provides immune protection, while skin-to-skin contact allows the baby to safely acquire their mother's bacteria.

• Try to remain in the same room as your baby until discharge. A mother, influenced by hormones, can respond promptly to her baby's signals. Moreover, separating a newborn from its mother immediately after birth can cause significant stress and potentially affect the baby's overall health stability. Babies who experience such separation may have difficulty with sucking and may experience more significant weight loss after birth.

• Engage with your baby through touch, stroking, talking, singing songs, telling stories, and reading books. A mother's voice works magically on a child.

Why is mother-bonding with baby important

Why is a mother's bond with the baby important? Psychologists have extensively studied the psychology of the relationship between a child and their mother, recognizing its significance for the child's future life. It is crucial for a child's psychology to feel affection for their mother. The quality and depth of this connection determine the child's ongoing mental development and form the foundation for their psychological well-being, including their ability to establish healthy and trusting relationships with others. Affection is nurtured gradually over time.

Also: Co-Sleeping With Baby: Advices For Parents

To ensure the child's complete development during infancy, it is not enough to merely meet their basic physical needs. The child requires guidance in navigating the emotional and social aspects of the world around them.

As the guide, the mother shapes the child's future model of interaction with the world. The quality and nature of the mother's contact with her baby impact the child's mood and expectations when engaging with the world.

However, it is important to strike a balance and avoid extremes. Fathers bonding with babies is equally important. It is essential to provide your spouse with an opportunity to embrace their role as a parent from the early stages.

How to bond with a baby: 10 tips for mother

How can mothers foster a bond with their baby? Cultivating a close, trusting, and respectful relationship with your child involves a reciprocal movement. You take a step, and your child responds with a step of their own. The more such steps you take throughout your life, the deeper the connection becomes and the closer the distance between you.

Here's a checklist to help you assess and align your attitude towards your child with the principles of mutual respect parenting. Evaluate yourself and discover ways to bond with your baby:

1. Spend ample time with your child. Engage in household activities, creative endeavors, walks, and enjoyable moments. Approach these activities with enthusiasm and genuine interest.

2. Support your child in difficult situations. Refrain from scolding them in front of others and protect them from any harm caused by other individuals or children.

3. Create an environment where your child feels comfortable reaching out to you with any problem. Assure them that you will do everything possible to help.

Also: Autonomy Versus Shame And Doubt: What Is A Developmental Crisis

4. Continuously seek new ways to bond with the baby. Let them know that they are cherished and hold a special place in your heart.

5. Take pleasure in praising and rewarding your child, even for minor achievements. Avoid comparing your child to others and take pride in their individual accomplishments.

6. Offer help to your child without imposing it upon them. Respect their autonomy and choices. If their decision is undesirable in certain situations, patiently and thoroughly explain why it may not be the best course of action. By doing so, you will strengthen the bond with the baby.

7. Respect your child's wishes and opinions, avoiding the imposition of your own will. However, if circumstances warrant a different choice, explain the reasons calmly and in detail. 

8. Maintain composure even in challenging circumstances. Refrain from yelling, using physical punishment, and instead rely on effective communication and persuasive methods.

9. Show genuine interest in your child's life. Value their hobbies and activities without undermining their significance.

10. Keep your promises to your child and respect their confidences.

This list applies universally and is applicable to both mothers and fathers. However, there are unique aspects to the relationship between children and fathers, which we will explore later.

10 ways how to get baby to bond with dad

How to develop fathers’ bonding with babies? Forming paternal love, unlike maternal feelings, is often a more complex and gradual process. This is understandable as the connection between a mother and child begins during pregnancy and strengthens with the child's birth. For a father, the birth of a child is also a significant life event, but the close bond does not always form immediately and may require more time. It is important for both parents to consider ways to foster fathers bonding with babies.

Here are some tips for fathers on how to build a trusting relationship and establish a strong bond with a baby.

1. Be actively involved in the upbringing of your child right from the start. Participate in feeding, bathing, and interacting with your baby. Remember, love and appreciation grow through active investment.

Also: Indigo Children: Who Are They And What To Do With Them

2. Create a daily ritual that is exclusively yours and the baby's. It is really the best way to bond with your baby. It could be something like guiding the evening bath or establishing a bedtime routine. Over time, you can explore other activities such as morning exercises or reading bedtime stories.

3. Find common interests with your child. While it's important not to impose your hobbies, you can introduce them and see if your child shows interest. Be open to exploring new activities together.

4. Practice active listening and encourage your child to ask questions. When your child shares their experiences or asks about something, listen attentively without distractions or interruptions. By doing so, you will strengthen the bond with your baby.

5. Pan outings and fun activities with your child without the presence of the mother. This will provide an opportunity to build a strong bond with your baby.

6. Play with your child, especially engaging in new games that allow both of you to learn and discover together.

7. Engage in practical tasks together, such as dusting, vacuuming, or simple repairs around the house. Teach your child basic skills and involve them in age-appropriate activities. Remember, this applies to daughters as well.

8. Maintain a balanced approach to discipline. Avoid being excessively strict or using harsh punishments. Instead, employ milder forms of influence and focus on positive reinforcement to encourage your child's achievements. Express your love and affection consistently.

9. Cultivate a sense of security by avoiding jealousy towards your child's relationship with their mother. Recognize the importance of the mother-child bond and support it.

Also: 10 Ways to Teach Kids about Boundaries

10. Remember that it is never too late to adjust your approach to parenting. If you feel the need to make changes based on the results you observe, be open to adapting and improving your bond with the baby.

Always keep in mind the well-known golden rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." If you desire a close, trusting, and loving relationship with your children, lead by example and initiate positive actions. Your children will undoubtedly respond in kind.

Both parents play a vital role in building a strong bond with the baby. By following these tips and nurturing a loving connection, you can create a foundation for a lifelong relationship built on trust, affection, and mutual respect.