You may have heard of bonding but never really understood it. Or maybe you don’t even know how it works or why it is important. If this is you, then read on and find out more.
What is bonding?
Bonding is an emotional and physical attachment that occurs between parents and their child. In fact, it is one of the most important things needed by your child.
Bonding begins when a mother is pregnant and can feel the baby move, kick, or even have the hiccups. By massaging your baby belly or pushing gently back after you feel your baby move, you create an interaction and a bonding experience between you and your baby.
It has also been proven that babies can hear sounds as early as the 15th week of pregnancy. So even the simple acts of singing and talking to your baby are an important step in bonding with him. As you continue to do these things, your child begins to recognize your voice, which will serve as a sense of comfort to him after he is born. Don’t forget to let dad get in on the bonding too!
Keep on Bonding!
After your child is born, bonding continues through everyday caregiving: feeding him, changing his diaper or his clothes, talking, playing, etc. While you do these things, you must also remember to look your baby in the eyes, smile, and talk to him. That eye contact helps create a deep bond between you and your baby. Even just sitting and holding your baby while you sing, play games like peek-a-boo or talk to him can help the two of you connect.
Bonding should continue as your child gets older. This can be done by playing games, reading books, taking walks and talking about what is going on around him, singing and dancing, and, of course, by loving on him as much as possible. Also, it is important to remember to always praise his accomplishments and accept his individuality.
What Bonding Does For Your Child
As your child grows, he stores all these memories of being cared for in his brain. This creates a sense of security in your child. This security, in turn, will nurture his sense of independence. It is through this independence that your child will develop the confidence he needs for life. Having confidence can help him develop friendships, learn faster, and have a better self image.
So, as you can see, bonding with your child is very important–even while he is still in the womb. Healthy bonding can create a connection that will last a lifetime. It also equips your child with the confidence he needs to succeed in the world. For more information about bonding with your child, please come into Choices and discover the Earn While You Learn lessons that can help you learn even more.