10 Activities that Promote Bonding With Your Baby

While for some new mothers, bonding with their baby comes naturally and happens long before their baby was even born. For other mothers, developing that bond and deep sense of attachment takes time as they adjust to their new role as mom and adapt to their new physical, emotional and often spiritual self.

Wherever you are in the bonding process, it's important to understand that bonding is indeed a process and not an end result you achieve simply after giving birth. Each day you spend caring for your baby, your bond with your baby develops and gets deeper.

As you learn to interact with your baby each day, consider these 10 activities that promote bonding and increase feelings of attachment for both you and your baby.

Feeding. While breastfeeding is one of the most natural ways to promote bonding because it encourages skin to skin contact several times throughout the day, whether your nurse or bottle feed, being present during feeding times can promote bonding. Take time to stroke your baby's hair and gaze into his eyes as you meet his essential need for nutrition.

Touch. Snuggling, hugging, kissing, stroking, massaging and simply holding your baby promote bonding. When your baby is close to you physically, he's likely to also feel close emotionally.
Meeting Needs. Quickly meeting your babies’ needs helps foster bonding through the development of trust. When you change your baby's diaper when needed or feed him when hungry, he's learning he can depend on you to meet his needs.

Routine. Babies feel safe and secure when they know what's going to happen next. These feelings of safety and security lead to a deeper bond and sense of attachment.

Play. Simple games like peek-a-boo are fun to play with your baby and promote feelings of joy. When you capture your child's attention your able to connect and deepen your bond.

Sound. Talking and singing to your baby often promotes bonding through feelings of familiarity and comfort. Your baby has been hearing your voice for several months before he was born and it’s soothing to him.
Scent. Your baby loves your smell. He can recognize you by your scent alone. Bond with your baby by holding him close and letting him enjoy your smell.

Eye Contact. Be intentional about making eye contact with your baby. Your baby loves to gaze into your eyes. Make faces and stare back to promote bonding.

Reading. Reading to your baby promotes an emotional connection that leads to bonding. Share a picture book and talk about what you see.

Dance. Holding your baby as you gently rock and sway to music promotes feelings of closeness that lead to deepening your bond. Dancing is a natural way to promote feelings of physical and emotional closeness.
Like with other relationships, the more quality time you spend together, the deeper your bond and connection comes. Each day as you embrace your baby and lovingly care for him, your bond will grow deeper.