What It Means
Bonding is defined as the intense
attachment that develops between
parents and their baby. It makes
parents want to shower their baby
with love and affection and to
protect and nourish their little one.
It’s a two-way process between a
baby and its parents that sets the
scene for future parenting. The
early weeks of a baby’s life are
crucial for the parents and baby to
get to know one another – parents
need to touch and explore their
baby.
The Start
Bonding or attachment between
a mother and her baby begins
during pregnancy when the parent
imagines what the baby will look
like and continues through birth
and the first few days of a baby’s
life. A parent observes, listens,
and works out what the baby
needs and responds accordingly.
The baby is programmed for
this social interaction from birth
but requires time to be given to
enable the process. It’s soothing
for both you and your baby while
promoting your baby’s healthy
growth and development. Eye-toeye contact provides meaningful
communication at close range.
Babies can follow moving objects
with their eyes. Your baby tries
- early on - to imitate your facial
expressions and gestures. Babies
prefer human voices and enjoy
vocalizing in their first efforts at
communication.
monkeys. Scientists suspect that
lack of bonding in human babies
causes similar problems.
Why Some Parents Don’t
Bond Right Away
Most babies are ready to bond
immediately after birth. This is
not always possible, however.
If a baby is sick and needs
immediate care, she may need
to be taken away from parents
to receive medical attention in a
different room.
Often parents are exhausted
after delivery and need time
to rest before they are ready to
bond.
A complicated birth can delay
bonding.
If your baby has health
problems or a birth defect
(especially facial), bonding may
be delayed. This is normal. It
often takes parents some time to
adjust to unexpected conditions.
It’s easier to bond with your
newborn if you have the
support of family and friends.
It’s okay to ask others for help so
that you can take a break from
time to time. You’ll be able to
take better care of your child if
you take good care of yourself,
too. H
Tips to Help
with Bonding
Establish eye contact as this
is one of the most powerful
communication systems.
Babies can recognize their
own mothers face four
hours after birth.
Encourage skin-to-skin
contact – touch is a
powerful element in human
bonding.
Learning how to massage
the baby is a most powerful
tool in helping a parent to
establish a bond.
If possible, rest your baby
on your stomach. He/she
will enjoy the feel of your
skin and will look up at you
from time to time.
Both breastfeeding and
bottle-feeding are bonding
activities.
Read and sing to your baby.
Rock your baby to sleep.
Let your baby touch you on
your face, hair, and hands.
The different shapes and
textures will interest her.
You don’t have to set aside
special time for bonding.
For example, use diaper
changes or feeding time to
do these activities.
The Importance
Bonding is essential for a baby.
Studies of newborn monkeys who
were given mannequin mothers
at birth showed that, despite the
efforts of the baby monkeys to get
a response through holding and
touching the mannequins, the
lack of a parental respons e caused
stunted development, sadness,
and failure to thrive in the young
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