Fun activities that can help you to bond with your baby
Bonding with your baby is one of the main joys of new parenthood, and the process will happen naturally as you get to know the new person in your life. However, there will inevitably be times when you are exhausted and all your attempts to amuse your tetchy little one seem to be rebuffed.
Bonding with your baby is key for a secure and loving relationship and their future development, so it’s important not to be discouraged and to keep seeking new ways to connect. Here are some fun suggestions that will help you naturally strengthen your bond and lay the foundation for a happy and healthy childhood.
Tummy time
Tummy time is important for your baby’s physical development, and it is also a great opportunity to bond as you can interact with play and language. The concept of tummy time is simple: you place your baby on the floor on their tummy. This will help them to develop the muscles they need to perform movements such as sitting up, rolling over, and crawling.
You do not need any special equipment, although it is possible to buy purposely designed play mats with interactive sensory features. However, a blanket or a baby changing mat will serve just as well if you do not have soft flooring. Try to build up short stretches of tummy time into your baby’s daily routine, of no more than five minutes at first.
Choose a time when your baby is fully awake and alert, and you can give them your undivided attention. If your baby is not keen on lying on the floor, try laying them on your chest while you lie on your back, as they will find the skin and eye contact reassuring. Talk or sing to your baby or encourage them to reach out and grab toys.
Bath time
Bathing your baby should be a relaxed and enjoyable activity for you both. There’s no need to bathe your baby every day if you prefer to just give them a top and tail wash, but aim to give them a full bath two to three times a week. For newborns, a washing up bowl will be fine if you do not have a baby bath.
Use warm but not hot water with no liquid soaps or bubble bath added, as this can irritate their skin. Support your baby with one hand, and gently wash them with clean cotton wool with the other hand. Talk or sing to your baby and playfully splash them with water to help relax them and get used to listening to the sound and rhythm of your voice.
Using a baby carrier or sling
When your baby is under 12 months old and you want to get out and about, or even just do tasks in the house or garden, then using a baby carrier or sling is a great solution. It leaves your hands free for other chores, while allowing you to keep your baby safe and physically close.
This can be particularly useful if you use public transport a lot, because it saves you the trouble of folding up a pram or pushchair or trying to manoeuvre it up and down steps. When you are carrying your baby on your front, it’s also ideal for face to face communication and you may notice that your baby will try to burble and imitate your speech as you chat to them.
Bedtime stories
Babies find the sound of a human voice comforting, and even though they won’t understand the meaning of the words, it’s still important to talk and sing to them when they are little. This will help them to recognise the shape and rhythm of language and prepare them for developing speech and language skills when they are slightly older.
Reading stories will engage your infant and encourage their cognitive development, and it will also strengthen your emotional bond as they get used to the sound of your voice. You will notice that your baby begins to respond with noises, smiles, or other facial expressions as they enjoy listening to nursery rhymes or simple stories.
Older babies will enjoy reading and looking at picture books with you as well.
