Some moms and dads out there feel no emotional bond with their newborn children for days, weeks, or even months after taking them home from the hospital. That’s totally fine. It can take parents different amounts of time or certain experiences before they begin to grow an attachment to their newborn.
Perhaps you’re at the stage where you haven’t quite bonded with your child. Don’t worry—in due time, even the most stone-hearted person can grow to love their little bundle of joy with all their being. But if you’d like to learn how to bond with your newborn more quickly, we’ve got 10tips on how to do it.
Tip 1 | Maintain Eye Contact While Feeding
Regardless of whether you breastfeed your child, feed them formula, or combine the two, try and look into your baby’s eyes at all times during feeding time. When your newborn opens their eyes and sees you looking down on them, they’ll learn who you are and how much you mean to them.
Tip 2 | Massage Your Baby
The benefits of massaging your baby cannot be understated. Not only do you spend time with your baby while gently massaging their chubby legs and arms, but you’ll also help them become more relaxed and quite possibly reduce crying. If you just fed your baby, allow 45 minutes to pass before giving them massage treatment.
Tip 3 | Focus Your Undivided Attention on Your Baby
We know, we know. Staying off social media can be difficult, but it’s crucial to the development of your child that they get your undivided attention. Don’t worry about responding late to your colleagues, family, or friends. They’ll understand that your first priority is your newborn child.
Tip 4 | Listen to Their Heartbeat
Do you recall how excited you were whenever you heard your child’s heartbeat during sonograms? Well, who said listening to their heartbeat had to stop after giving birth? Placing your ear against their unclothed chest establishes a physical connection between parent and child. It might even help calm your child down and help them become a happier person in the future.
Tip 5 | Sleep at the Same Time
Never, ever feel guilty about falling asleep early at night. You’ve spent all day taking care of your child, and let’s face it, it’s a challenge that can slowly chip away at your insanity. The only way to maintain your wits is to get enough sleep every night. So, whenever your child is fast asleep, take the opportunity to fit in some shut-eye before their next feeding session.
Tip 6 | Be on Cry Alert 24/7
This is perhaps the most difficult part of raising a newborn baby. They can start crying at all hours of the day and night, and we know how difficult it is to get your head off your pillow and zombie-walk your way to the nursery. However, during the first three months, it’s crucial that you let your baby know who to call for during times of distress. Over time, they’ll learn that they can rely on mommy for anything.
Tip 7 | Show Affection to Your Partner
Babies are a lot smarter than most people realize. Did you know that your baby can pick up on cues concerning the bond between mommy and daddy? Showing affection and appreciation to your partner is a great way to let your child know you can extend that sort of behavior to them.
Tip 8 | Make a Memory Charm
A memory charm is an item that will force you to remember your child, regardless of where you are. It can be anything from a fragment of clothing from an old onesie or something as unique as breastmilk jewelry. Whatever it is, it should trigger you to miss your child with all your heart. That way, when you return home to meet them, you’ll want to shower them with all the hugs and kisses their chubby cheeks and bellies can bear.
Tip 9 | Keep Track of Milestones (Optional)
You’ve probably read about the importance of keeping track of your baby’s milestones. There’s no doubt that you’ll cherish every recorded memory you have of your baby, but don’t stress it if you don’t have the time or energy to record every single milestone. Also, forget about averages—each and every individual baby grows at their own pace. If they haven’t said their first word at three months of age, don’t sweat it!
Tip 10| Take Lots of Pictures Together
We probably didn’t have to tell you to do this since new mothers tend to want to take millions of selfies with their newborns. You can use those photographs to make an album to show your child when they get older. The more photos you have, the more they’ll know that you cared about them when they couldn’t care for themselves.
Start Early to Build an Everlasting Bond with Your Child
The emotional bond between mommy and son/daughter may not come immediately, but when it does, you should nurture that bond as best to your capabilities. In their own way, your newborn is trying to figure out the world, starting from the person who cares for them more than anyone else in the world. Don’t squander these beautiful moments—start early to build an unbreakable connection with your child.
