5 Ways to Bond With Your Baby – Bonding with your baby is super important for their development! Did you know there are more ways to bond with your baby outside of breastfeeding? Let’s talk about five ways to bond with your baby right here on Newsymom!

This informational campaign comes to you in partnership with the Stark County Community Action Agency.

Bonding and attachment are absolutely critical to your baby’s development. Consistently showing them love and affection gives them the confidence they need to know the world is safe to explore, learn from, and interact with!

Since your baby can’t talk yet, they rely mostly on body language to communicate with you and learn about the world. Here are five ways to use that body language to further deepen the bond with you and your little one:

1. Make eye contact and smile at your baby.

   Your baby may not understand words, but a big smile that wrinkles the corners of your eyes speaks VOLUMES! The next time they’re awake, pull ‘em aside for a Smiling Face-Off! Who stops smiling first?

2. Jam out by singing your favorite songs!

   Your baby already thinks you’re the equivalent of a rockstar–even if you don’t feel like the next Dua Lipa! Cast the judgment and embarrassment aside and sing for your little one. Pull them into your arms and dance with them as well!

3. Tell your babes ALL about your day.

   You may not know this, but the most familiar thing to your baby is hearing your voice. Since they were in your womb, all they could rely on is their sweet momma’s voice! Share everything that happened during your day and make as many facial expressions as you can while talking. This is a great learning opportunity for the meaning of facial expressions, too!

4. Swaddle your baby securely, cuddle, and break out tonight’s bedtime story!

   This is the ultimate mom-hack to your baby feeling the safest they can. When you swaddle your baby, it mimics being wrapped up in the womb. Cuddling increases baby’s feel-good hormones and listening to you talk is music to your baby’s ears!

5. Respond to your baby’s cries.

   You may not know why your baby is crying, but always respond and let your baby know you’re always there so they don’t feel alone!

When it comes down to it, spend as much time as you can with your baby! Forget the dishes, cleaning the house, or making extravagant meals often. These moments will fly by. Relish them now and worry about the rest later!

And if motherhood ever seems too tough to handle, know that the SCCAA Community Actions Pathway HUB is an available resource for all pregnant and new mothers. Reach out to them when you need a helping hand! For more information, please contact the Community Action Pathways HUB at 330.454.1676 ext. 153.

Melissa Klatt

Reporting