A mother’s advice on how to bond with a newborn
When it comes to being a mother knowing what to do when the first bundle of joy arrives is sometimes challenging.
POLOKWANE – Review spoke to a new mother on what advice she has for new moms with regard to bonding with their baby.
Angelique Cruson’s baby boy is now almost a year old and she shared some tips she would have loved as a new mother and some of the things she learned from bonding with her son.
Spend a lot of time cheek to cheek or skin to skin with the baby.
Newborn babies have very sensitive skin so spending time touching and holding them skin to skin is a great way to bond.
Feeding time – When feeding the baby, take the time for you and your baby to bond. Stroking the baby’s head and hair will help with bonding.
Dancing – Having a new baby can be stressful so using music and dancing with the baby is a stress relief and helps with bonding.
Tickling – This is a great way to bond with a baby. Using easy to reach places like the baby’s feet can also increase the chance of the baby learning to smile early.
Bath time – Not all babies like bath time but this is a great way to bond and help develop a baby’s motor skills and talking as you make noises playing with toys in the bath.
“Most of the bonding comes naturally but it takes time, being playful helps to encourage a loving relationship. You will be surprised when you see how fast a baby learns to do things. Through playing they get to know the new world they live in and as a mother you get to know their personality,” she advised.
