Bonding with your baby

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The first 1001 days is a time of rapid growth, and everything your baby experiences, even when they're still in the womb, sets them up for a good future. The people your baby connects within the early years, like you and other family members, have a big impact on how they see themselves and how they learn to handle their feelings and behaviour

Being in loving surroundings with good physical contact is the most important factor for improving your baby’s development.

You can make a difference from day one:

• From day one if your baby is awake, talk to them and give them a chance to respond.

• Make sure that you hold your baby about 20cm or 8” from your face in a comfortable position for both of you when

you are talking or singing with your baby.

• You cannot ‘spoil’ a newborn, babies actually feel safe and secure when they get a quick response. In the early days it is helpful to limit how many people ‘care’ for your baby.

During the first few months you will be getting to know your baby and learning to read his/her signals. You will learn to recognise when your baby is tired or bored as he/she looks away, yawns, puts his/her hands up to his/her face or when they are ready to play - when he/she looks at you, reaches towards you, smiles at you.

Some babies can be soothed more easily than others, so all babies need your presence and reassurance.

Skin-to-Skin Contact: Holding your baby skin-to-skin is one of the most powerful ways to bond. It provides comfort, warmth, and a sense of security for your baby.

Eye Contact: Make eye contact with your baby during feeding, nappy changes, and playtime. Babies are drawn to people's eyes, and it helps them feel connected.

Cuddling and Holding: Hold your baby close in your arms, cuddle them, and snuggle together. This closeness is reassuring for your baby and strengthens your bond.

Respond to Their Cries: When your baby cries, respond as soon as you can. This shows them that you are always there and builds trust between you.

Talk and Sing: Talk to your baby during the day, tell them what you are doing, even if it feels silly at first! Singing lullabies or gentle songs can be comforting for your baby.

Read Aloud: Even though your newborn can't understand the words yet, reading books aloud introduces them to the rhythm of language and will help them when they start to talk.

Baby Massage: Baby massage is good for relaxation and strengthens your bond. You can pop into your local Family Hub site or ring the Families Information Service on 0800 0345 340 to find out more.

Face-to-Face Interaction: Make funny faces, smile, and copy your baby's facial expressions. This helps them learn about emotions and social cues.

Baby-Wearing: Use a baby carrier or sling to carry your baby with you while you go about your daily activities. It keeps them close and involved in your world.

Feeding Time: Whether you're breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, feeding times are a great chance to bond through touch, eye contact, and gentle words.

Bedtime Routine: Start a calming bedtime routine. This might include a warm bath, soft lullabies, and cuddling before putting your baby to sleep.

Remember that bonding can take time, and each baby is unique. Listen to your baby's cues and be patient with yourself. The more time you spend together the stronger your bond will be.

You can find some ideas to bond with your baby from UNICEF here: What you need to know about parent-child attachment | UNICEF Parenting

Or watch the videos below. 

The relationship between Father & Baby

The relationship between Mother & Baby