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Home › Articles › Babies › Bonding From the Beginning

Bonding From the Beginning

Use Baby's Senses to Create That Special Connection

By Kelly Burgess

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When each of my three children was born, I couldn't get over how perfect they were. I wanted to kiss their tiny hands and feet, stroke their wrinkled little backs, bury my nose deep into their damp little necks and inhale that incomparable baby smell. I soon learned that what pleased me didn't necessarily please my babies.

It has been noted that babies are often very alert right after birth, then sleep quite a bit for a couple of days. After that, it seems as if sensory overload kicks in, and Baby begins to communicate in the only way he or she can: by crying. This can be a difficult time for a parent, particularly a mother already exhausted by childbirth, but there are ways to "read" your baby's signals and learn to comfort her or encourage her development without overwhelming her.

Bonding With All Six Senses
Often, initial bonding information focuses on touch and sight, but babies actually use all of their senses to learn about you.

Vision
– Newborns have poor vision, but what vision they do have is perfectly suited to the most important need in their new little worlds: feeding. When you feed your baby, whether by breast or bottle, his face is naturally about 10 inches from your own, which is the distance a newborn's eyes can focus – although just for a few minutes. Gradually, that time and distance lengthens, and Baby will soon begin to reach for you and try to touch your familiar face. Allow him or her to explore your face, being careful to keep sharp little fingernails trimmed.

Touch
– Touch is very important, because, according to A. Christine Harris, Ph.D., of Sacramento, Calif., a newborn's sense of smell and touch are as important to bonding as sight. Harris, a professor of psychology at Consumnes River College and author of Baby's First Year Journal: A Day-to-Day Guide to Your Baby's Development During the First Twelve Months
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Bonding with Baby From the Beginning by Artful Cradle on 04/30/2010 08:08AM

Newborns and their sleep patterns can be exhausting. I suggest you have a friend, grandparent or some trusted person allow you to take a nap in the middle of the day and help you through this short period. We are all better when we have our SLEEP!

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