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Building a Relationship With Your Baby 

Why is Building a Relationship With Your Baby Important?

Babies thrive when they feel loved, safe, and nurtured.
The relationships and experiences your baby has in early life plays a big role in shaping things such as: Their brain development, how they learn and grow, how they see themselves, and how they manage their feelings and emotions both now and in the future.

By getting to know your baby, responding to their needs, and building a positive relationship with them, you can help support their development and give them the best possible start in life!
But… there’s no such thing as a perfect mum, dad, or parent!
Adjusting to parenthood can be hard, and although some parents will find building parent-infant relationships natural, others can find this takes more time or that it can feel more challenging.

What Can Help Build a Relationship With Your Baby?

During the first few months you will be learning to read your baby’s signals and cues as you get to know them. Your baby is always communicating with you- even if they can’t talk to you yet. They might use their eyes, movement, sounds and expressions, and it can be helpful to watch them and wonder what they might be feeling.
For example, if your baby is crying this could be: “I’m crying as I can’t yet talk or do things for myself, and I need you to change my nappy as I’m uncomfortable, and calm me down because I feel scared”
Or, if your baby wants to connect this could be: “I can’t use my words yet, but I’m trying to reach for you, look into your eyes, and smile at you because I’m ready to play with you”
Some simple ideas you could try as a mum, dad, parent or carer to help build your bond from day one are:


Activities at Your Local Family Hub

Barnsley Family Hubs has a range of activities, groups, and programmes to help local mums, dads, parents, and carers to build a positive relationship with your bump and baby. You could:

Antenatally- Welcome to the world or H.E.N.R.Y
Postnatally- Triple P baby or Baby and Us
Join one of our baby activities by viewing our ‘What’s on guides’ such as:
New you New us, or our Stay and play sessions
 Or look at support you could do in the comfort of your own home, such as:
Our online parenting courses, or downloadable parenting apps for your phone.



It’s OK to Need Some Extra Support

There are lots of reasons why connecting with your baby may feel harder at times. Things such as regular crying, feeding challenges, the lack of sleep, or changes in your own feelings and mental health can all affect how connected you feel. Every baby is unique and will develop their relationship with you at their own pace.

If you are a new mum, dad, parent, or carer who is finding it difficult to build a relationship with your baby, it’s ok to ask for help- you’re not alone.
Please speak to your Health Visitor, or someone at your local Family Hub so you can get the support that’s right for you.


Videos to Watch

Bonding with Your Baby:


Baby Talk for Dads:


Early Interaction Videos

Further Resources to Support You

As an expectant or new parent, there are a range of online websites, resources, and information which may help you to keep well in your early parenting journey. Some examples of these may include:


Dads and Partners:





Staying Healthy Before, During, and After Pregnancy

🔎 Find out more:
As well as your mental health, it’s important to look after your physical health before, during, and after pregnancy. You can find more information on smoking, alcohol, weight, nutrition and healthy eating on the Keep well keep moving page.
You can also watch South Yorkshire’s video on alcohol use during pregnancy here.



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Barnsley's Great Childhoods Ambition 

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