Bonding With Your Newborn – What if it’s Not Instant?

Bonding With Your Newborn – What if it’s Not Instant?

When you’re a new parent, the bond that you form with your baby will create a relationship that will last a lifetime. Though most parents have little trouble forming this important attachment with their new little one, many have trouble, causing feelings of self-doubt, guilt and worry.

Although this is a crucial attachment, like in any good relationship, these things can occasionally take time. What can a parent do to help foster the bond?

Forming The Bond – Tips For Success

There are many factors that can play into you not forming an immediate bond with your infant. Mothers who have had a C-section, adoptive parents or parents who’s baby spent time in ICU may have trouble starting their relationship with their child. Additionally, there are mothers who after the pain and exhaustion of childbirth can develop post-partum depression, making forming that bond just a little tougher. There are a few tricks that can help, though.

1. Spend Time.
Your babe needs to feel your touch and hear your voice, and face to face contact can help start that relationship. Try simple things such as rocking your beloved, singing them a song, or just being close and talking to them while they are enjoying time in their infant baby rockers. Any interaction you can provide will help jump-start that bond.

2. The Skin Effect.
It may sound strange, but skin-to-skin contact can be extremely soothing to babies, particularly in premature children. This is referred to as “Kangaroo Care.” While helping with your bond, skin-to-skin contact can also help with breastfeeding later on.

3. Talk to your doctor.
If a few months have gone by and you’re still not feeling that crucial attachment, then something more serious could be going on with you. You could be suffering from post-partum depression or other issues that will need to be addressed. Be honest with your health care professional about what you’re feeling. This is a common problem and nobody will judge you for it.

4. Keep your baby near.
Even if you are dealing with a sick infant at the hospital, having your child near will establish a sense of ease. Try using a sling to keep your baby with you as you do things around the house, or keep the baby’s crib in your room for the first month or so. Your child will learn to associate you being around with a feeling of safety and relaxation.

Forming a bond with your child is important, but occasionally it takes a bit longer than you would think. Remember, this is a life-long relationship you are creating, so try not to be hard on yourself if it doesn’t happen instantaneously. Your newborn and you are learning about each other, and additional stress and worry won’t help the situation.

Teresa Stewart has a passion for studying different forms of well-being. She was inspired to write this article for new moms by researching baby rockers online.

Photo Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pinksherbet/4623811529/