While being connected with your baby after he or she finally comes to this world is something that naturally happens that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t work at it as your little one grows up. Babies are incredibly sensitive to everything going on around them, which is why you should always strive to surround them with love, peace and presence of those who love them the most. There are many ways to strengthen your bond with your baby, but for new moms and dads it can be difficult sometimes to become truly close with their newborn. For that reason we want to talk about 4 ways you can connect with your little one that doesn’t require too much effort, but still gives amazing results.
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1. Hold Your Baby as Often as You Can
Touch is the first sense that newborns truly experience and nothing can quite replace the touch of their mother and father. Whenever you’re in doubt what to do with your baby, take them into your arms, let them feel you skin, heartbeat and smell, it will calm them down naturally. Babies feel safest when they’re around their parents, especially their mothers. Not only will you connect with your child, but he or she will feel completely protected, which is vital for having a strong relationship later in life. Also, keep eye contact with your little ones and let them touch your face whenever they want – this is their way of getting to know you better and accustoming to you as an inseparable part of their life. Whenever you’re trying to comfort your baby when they’re crying, hold them close to your heart and breathe deeply, it works like a charm, unless your baby is signalizing that diaper change is needed, in which case, get to it.
2. Talk, Read, Sing and Coo
Another characteristic that helps your baby understand mommy and daddy are around is your voice. If you’ve got your baby in your arms, and they still won’t settle down, talk to them quietly, or sing a calming tune you know they love, this does wonders for infants. Your voice tells your child how you feel and if you’re not calm, chances are that they will get very fussy very quickly. Whenever you’ve got some free time, read to your baby and let them hear your voice as much as they can. At such a young age, kids don’t understand words, but they understand how your voice and intonation makes them feel, and that is loved and comforted.
3. Spend Quality Time Alone
Of course you’re tending to your babies needs every waking second (and while you’re asleep you dream about, we know), but not all of that time can be considered quality time. When you’re running around trying to juggle your house chores, cook a healthy meal because you don’t want your family living on meal delivery services and change diapers all at the same time, you can’t really say your time with your newborn is focused on them. We know it’s very difficult, but you should try and find some time when you will shift all your attention to your little ones and have time just for them. It doesn’t have to be a lot of time, but it helps you feel like you’re truly bonding with your baby and that feeling makes everything so much better and bearable when push comes to a shove and you have to go through yet another sleepless night.
4. Playtime
Though having a strong bond with your baby is serious business, you won’t always get to it by being super serious, on the contrary. Being silly in front of your child will make them laugh and relax and let’s face it, it’s good for you too. Find games that your little ray of sunshine loves and go all in – make silly faces, play peek-a-boo, even dance with them in your arms, you will both have a great time. Every parent has their own little rituals that make their children all giddy and smiling, so just find what makes your baby laugh out loud. Your laughter and your baby’s laughter are the biggest signs to your little one that everything is alright. – Theresa Brawner
Theresa Brawner is a 28-year-old fitness instructor from Boston, MA, who writes articles for www.diet.st in her free time. When she isn’t helping new moms get back in shape, you can find her in the kitchen, working on new recipes.
