Baby Bonding: You’re on the Right Track!

Bonding Beyond First Sight

Before sending your little one to early childhood education, it’s important to partake in baby bonding! When your little one is born, the bond that is formed between the two of you is very special. Sometimes it happens instantaneously; certain new parents may fall in love with their little one right then and there. Other times, it may take a little bit longer for baby bonding to occur — and if that’s the case for you, don’t worry! Many studies show that up to 20 percent of parents do not feel emotional attachment to their newborn immediately following delivery, and there are many reasons as to why this could be the case for you. It can be tough to bond with a baby immediately if you’ve had a C-section or if your baby was born prematurely! Additionally, things like postpartum depression, a parent whose childhood had few positive adult role models, or even just regular life stresses can make baby bonding tough. All of these are totally valid reasons that baby bonding might not occur right away.

Bonding with Your Baby

So how can you bond with your baby before sending them off to an early childhood education program? There are many types of baby bonding, and a lot of them are actually occurring when you’re doing exactly what you need to do to as a new parent take care of your baby’s physical needs! When you touch your newborn’s skin, make sure they are fed, and even simply look at them, acts of baby bonding are taking place. Rocking them to sleep can help them to feel safe, and when you gaze at them, they will likely look right back at you. All these things will help establish your relationship with them!

Some more ways of baby bonding before your little one gets old enough to join an early childhood education program could include asking to room with your baby in the hospital! By sleeping in the same room, you get to spend more time around one another. If this isn’t possible for you, or if your little one is premature, it can be a good idea to ask hospital staff if it is safe to touch or hold them. If not, visit frequently. Two key things to try and strive for as a new parent are lots of skin-to-skin contact (sometimes called “kangaroo care”) and talking often to your little one! Your voice and touch are likely very comforting and definitely help with baby bonding. For dads who struggle, all of these tips are handy, but it can also help to take a really active role in the caretaking of your newborn early as a new parent.

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Even though it seems as if there is not much time for baby bonding before early childhood education starts, so much of the bonding comes from basic caretaking, and your feelings as a new parent will grow from there! Sooner than you realize, you’ll be deeply attached to your little one.

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