Bonding with your Baby at Home during Pregnancy and Postpartum
Whether you are pregnant or you have recently had a baby, this time in your life might look different than you expected.
After all, you are being told to stay home except for essential trips out of the house and you are being asked to distance socially from friends and family members. This new and different time might have you thinking about connection.
You might be thinking about the bonds you have formed with family members and friends that you aren’t seeing as much as usual.
You might even be thinking of the connection you are already forming with your baby and how that bond might be impacted by this time.
It’s important to remember that while life looks different than what you might be used to, you still have the chance to create positive bonding experiences between you and your baby from your home.
This is a unique opportunity to continue forming a healthy relationship with your baby!
Bonding with your Baby during Pregnancy
If you are currently expecting a baby, you might be surprised to realize that you are already creating a special bond with your baby.
As you move along in pregnancy, your baby will begin to recognize and take comfort in the sound of your voice. Some ways that you could bond with your baby during this time is by talking, singing, or even reading to your baby. Also, carving out a few quiet minutes each day to sit quietly and think about your baby can help you bond with your baby before he or she is born.
If finding quiet time during the day is challenging, you might try using the time right before bed at night or in the morning before older children wake up for a few minutes of stillness.
Another way to begin forming a bond with your baby is through journaling. You could try journaling about your pregnancy, feelings you might be having, and hopes you have for your relationship with your baby. Some people even like to use their journal to write a letter for their baby.
Perhaps the most important way to create a bond with your baby during pregnancy is to take care of yourself physically and emotionally so that your baby has a safe and secure place to continue developing.
Bonding with your Newborn Baby
You’ve bonded with your baby through pregnancy, birth, and the newborn stage. You might be thinking about ways to continue to strengthen that bond with your baby while you are home during this quarantine.
A few ways to consider bonding with your baby at home are reading to your baby, playing with your baby, holding your baby, singing to your baby, and talking to your baby.
While it can be disappointing to be restricted in some of the ways that you might want to form a nice connection with your baby like walks through the park or sharing time together with family and friends, there are still many ways to bond with your baby at home! You can still take walks with your baby by holding and talking to your baby while you walk around your home. Also, you can still share special time with your baby and family members together through virtual platforms like Facetime.
This time might look different than you were planning on but there are still many opportunities to bond with your baby at home!
Additionally, if bonding with your baby seems to be more of a struggle during this time, you are not alone! Bonding with your baby can be difficult for some new parents, especially during this time of social distancing. If you are feeling nervous or overwhelmed about bonding with your baby, one of the best things you can do is reach out to your Birthright counselor.
We are here to support you through this process!