Sometimes it happens right away. Sometimes it takes time. Either way, bonding with your baby is an important part of raising them.
One way of building a bond with your baby is to get up close and personal with them. Newborns don't have the best eyesight yet, so getting your face close to theirs lets them see it. It also lets them smell you and touch you. Babies love to explore, so let them explore you! It's how they learn. Holding them close also lets them smell your skin and hear your heart beating. That's why skin-to-skin time is so soothing to little ones. They know they are safe and sound...and loved!
Another way is showing love and care. Soft touches are soothing and teach affection. Again, this shows your baby that it is safe with you. Singing is a fun way to amuse your baby while letting it hear one of the voices it learned in the womb! Sing songs you love or make up new ones that are uniquely theirs.
One important way of letting your new little one know how important you are to each other is to soothe them when they are upset. When you respond to your baby's cries, you are showing them that they can trust the people around them in a deep way. This will follow them into their adult lives and personal relationships later.
Bonding with their parents is a baby's introduction into the world, into love, and into learning how to trust other people. What are some other ways you can think of that would help a parent and baby bond?
