Majority of first-time mothers look forward to having an immediate bond with their baby after delivery. Some mums get to experience deep attachment to their newborns as soon as they set their eyes on them but others take a bit more time. The need for a mother to interact and bond with her new baby cannot be underestimated and is encouraged by professionals across the world and equally more so here in Kenya.
Advocates of bonding between a mum and her newborn acknowledge that the regular interaction brings about a lot of positives in the relationship, now and in the future. Some of these advantages associated with healthy newborn bonding include:
- Strengthens the mum and baby relationship
The interaction between mum and newborn allows them to get to know each other better. Mums are encouraged to gaze at their babies or even watch them sleeping so that they can connect better emotionally. Babies that spend time bonding with their parents regularly develop a deeper emotional connection over time resulting in a strong bond even as they grow older.
- Baby socialises much better
Babies that have ample time to connect with their mums mingle better with others and can control their emotions as they get older. Despair among children that got enough time to bond is usually at a minimum due to bonding.
- Better psychological development
Mums in Kenya that create opportunities to have maximum bonding time with their babies increase their chances of developing better psychologically. These babies grow up to be confident and able to handle life challenges and emotions better.
Simple ways for Kenyan mothers to bond with babies
Bonding is a vital process between mums and their babies from the time they are born and even as they grow older. To get the best out of your bonding time, mums are advised to learn their baby by observing them and learning the things they enjoy. When you discover the things your baby loves, it will make bonding much easier in the long run. However, if you have no idea where to start in building a stronger bond between you and your newborn, here is some information to help you out.
- Breastfeeding is the fastest and easiest way to bond with your newborn as they will be spending a lot of time suckling. The act of breastfeeding also results in the release of hormones that help the body relax while bringing up feelings of love as well as attachment to your baby. We have a lot of helpful information on Breastfeeding available here
- Touch is another way of bonding with the baby as you get to explore their tiny yet delicate features. Take time to rock them on your lap or carry them in a baby carrier or Leso to have maximum body contact which greatly enhances bonding. You can also massage your baby using the steps outlined here.
- Sharing a room with your baby is a great way to keep an eye on them throughout the night. You can place the baby’s cot right next to your bed to make it easier to attend to them when needed. It is also a great way to get the dad involved by allowing him to bond with the baby as the mother gets some much needed rest.
