Bonding is a special contact between the parents and the Baby. This bond makes the parents rush into the newborn’s room when they hear a slight whimper. It is also,what makes the parents nurture and care for their child.
The bond with a newborn may be immediate at times when the parents fall in love with their newborn as soon as they set their eyes on the baby. At times,it could take a little longer for the bond to be formed. It could be a few weeks or even months before you start to feel attached to the baby. If you have still not developed any bonding with the baby then there is nothing to feel guilty about it. You will feel the bond soon.
Bonding is a special contact between the parents and the baby. This bond makes the parents rush into the newborn’s room when they hear a slight whimper. It is also,what makes the parents nurture and care for their child.
The bond with a newborn may be-immediate at times when the parents fall in love with their newborn as soon as they set their eyes on the baby. At times,it could take a little longer for the bond to be formed. It could be a few weeks or even months before you start to feel attached to the baby. If you have still not developed any bonding with the baby then there is nothing to feel guilty about it. You will feel the bond soon.
The first bodily contact with your newborn
The first human contact that the newborn has, sets off many hormones in the baby’s body. This helps to regulate the baby’s body temperature as well as has benefits on the babies’ health. The mother’s touch helps to lower the stress hormone,cortisol’s, level in the baby’s body. This leads to better patterns of sleep in the infant years and the baby is less fearful later in its life.
The level of oxytocin or the bonding hormone rises when there is physical contact between the parents and the new born.This makes the newborn feel attached to her family members.Being held close lets the newborn conserve its energy.
Benefits of bodily contact with a newborn baby
A loving touch has many psychological effects on the new born baby. It boosts the endorphins,which is a feel-good hormone. Oxytocin is also released when the parents touch the baby and this is the hormone that is responsible for bonding.
Bodily contact helps both the newborn as well as the parents. Here are a few benefits of bonding with your baby:
- Strengthens the immune system
- Lowers the heart rate
- Lowers the blood pressure levels
- Reduces pain
- Reduces anxiety, fatigue, and stress
- Increases circulation
Ways to bond with your newborn
When you have bodily contact with your newborn and bond with her through gentle affection and warmth then it makes her feel safe. Here are a few ideas on how you can bond with your newborn baby:
- Touch and cuddle your newborn baby often. Rock and hold her and have skin to skin contact. Stroke your baby gently during massage and bath time
- You may not be able to figure out always why your baby is crying. However, when you respond to her then she feels safe
- Talk to your baby in a reassuring and soothing tone. Sing songs to your baby which your newborn will find soothing to hear.
Conclusion
Bodily contact is good for the baby. It would surprise you to know how the benefits of touch are more than just physical. Babies that do not receive human contact and especially those who are not touched lovingly can become anxious and depressed. They tend to experience developmental delays, do not grow properly, and tend to have anti-social and compulsive behavior issues.
The first human contact that the newborn has, sets off many hormones in the baby’s body. This helps to regulate the baby’s body temperature as well as has benefits on the babies’ health. The mother’s touch helps to lower the stress hormone,cortisol’s, level in the baby’s body. This leads to better patterns of sleep in the infant years and the baby is less fearful later in its life.
The level of oxytocin or the bonding hormone rises when there is physical contact between the parents and the new born.This makes the newborn feel attached to her family members. Being held close lets the newborn conserve its energy.
