During pregnancy, a woman goes through significant physical and emotional change in preparing for her baby’s arrival. Mum’s carry their baby’s for 40 or so weeks, and with this pregnancy experience, it often feels easier to form a bond once bub is born. For our partners, however, this bond can take some time – and that’s totally okay.
Bonding with our newborns is an integral part of our baby’s development and overall wellbeing throughout childhood. It’s important for mums and partners to understand their baby’s bonding behaviour in order to connect and strengthen the bond. Your newborn will use body language to demonstrate they want to connect; make eye contact, smile, make little noises and generally look interested by studying mum or dad’s face. Those little coo’s and giggles as bub get’s older, are just so special.
Bonding Tips for our Partners
Skin to skin contact
This very special bonding time is extremely beneficial for baby, as it keeps them warm, helps to maintain their body temperature, calms and soothes them and can regulate their little heart rate, breath and blood sugar.
Babywearing
This is also an effective way to bond as bub is close to your partner’s heartbeat and this helps to soothe them. And you have two hands-free #win
Bathtime
A helpful task for your partner to do – not only does it give mum a break, but also allows for dad/mum to have some special 1:1 time. An after bath baby massage while chatting away to bub is an added bonding bonus!
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Bottle-feeding
If mum is expressing or formula feeding, your partner can offer the bottle and enjoy the feed with the baby. Gazing into your baby’s eyes and talking to them during the feed somehow makes the rest of the world melt away.
Take time
As a bond can take time to nurture, take time to talk to them, tell baby about your day, they love the sound of their parent’s voice. Read a favourite childhood book to the baby – enjoyable for both parent and little one!
If you need extra support, don’t forget to chat with your midwife or health professional.
You’ve got this, nobody knows their baby like you do. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Gentle settling techniques can help your little one to form positive sleeping patterns to allow you and your family more rest, making bonding time that much more enjoyable. Phone and in-home consultations are available for little one’s aged newborn through to 4 years of age. Work with me!
Want to know more about the first 12 weeks of your baby’s life earth side? Read the Fourth Trimester blog to help you transition and flourish in those initial weeks after birth.
