Did you know that your recovery period after you give birth ranges from six weeks to six months? If you feel that it’s kind of long, well, you do have to consider that your body just went through an intense 9-month period of physical and emotional changes! 

In short, you should actually be thankful for this long period. And if you think about it, it’s also a great time for you to bond with your baby. Build some physical and emotional connections with it while your body and mind heal.

But why is bonding with your baby important? Read on to find out.

Why is the formation of a mother-child bond important?

You may have carried and nurtured your baby in your belly for nine months, which made you feel that you’re really close. However, things are different now: your baby is now outside! Bonding with your baby once they are in the outside world makes that special physical and emotional attachment between you and your baby. 

Furthermore, bonding is an important human instinct, especially for moms like you. That nurturing instinct helps you develop that physical and emotional attachment to your baby. It also benefits your baby as they develop a sense of belonging, security, and self-worth.

As a new mom, whether it is your first birth or not, make sure you maximize the opportunities during postpartum recovery to form a strong bond with your baby. Doing so will have a positive and lasting impact on your baby’s life. 

That’s something you’d want for your child, right?

What are the different ways you can bond with your baby?

Not sure when you can further improve your bond between you and your baby? Here are some opportunities to take note of – and what you should do!

During the golden hour

While postpartum recovery can last up to six months, the first 60 minutes after birth is important to maximize bonding with your baby. Often referred to as the golden hour, it is considered a magical time for you and your baby to form a strong connection.

Bonding with your baby during the golden hour can happen in many ways. It can be that first look or even better, the first touch, like the time your baby latches on to your breast for its first feeding.

Barring any medical complications for you or your baby immediately after birth, your baby should be placed in your chest for that first skin-to-skin contact. This brings benefits to you to help in your postpartum recovery.

The hormones produced during skin-to-skin contact prepare you for breastfeeding through milk production. It also contributes to regulating emotions by decreasing stress and anxiety, even depression.

Bonding during the golden hour through breastfeeding will alsol help stabilize your baby’s blood sugar and regulate their temperature. Skin-to-skin contact through breastfeeding also promotes better sleep and growth for babies.

During rooming-in

You can further strengthen your bond with your baby after the golden hour through rooming-in. It is a hospital practice where moms who have just given birth and their babies stay together in the room for 24 hours after delivery. Rooming in is a healthy birth practice that can aid in your postpartum recovery, your baby’s health, and the mother and baby bond.

Having your baby with you in the first 24 hours after birth is an excellent opportunity to sustain that strong bond established during the golden hour. It will provide you and your baby the time to get to know each other better and familiarize your baby with your scent, sound, and touch. You also get to know more of your baby’s behavior, cues, and what these mean.

Rooming in helps both of you to establish a routine before going home. You will get to know when your baby is hungry, sleepy, or needs care and comfort through skin-to-skin contact with you. Your baby will experience less distress and crying promoting better rest and sleep quality.

Bonding after coming home

There are various ways that you can continue to nurture and strengthen your bond with your baby now that you are both home and settled. Spend as much time as you can with your baby, even while they are sleeping.

Rocking or singing your baby to sleep or during breastfeeding is one way to do it. Remember that your touch, even your heartbeat when they are close to you, and your voice can be very comforting for your baby.

As often as possible, make skin-to-skin contact with your newborn. This practice referred to as “kangaroo care,” helps to calm babies. It also promotes an environment where babies can learn how to be better at breastfeeding.

Give your baby gentle massages. Research has shown that touch therapy through soft strokes from a gentle and loving massage helps improve your relationship with your baby. It can also promote better emotional health for you and your baby.

If you are unsure how to give gentle massages, ask around for recommendations on having postpartum doulas on board and how to do it. Their years of experience and skills in helping moms and their babies postpartum will come in handy as you navigate changes in your world now that you are a new mom.

When bonding with your baby needs more time and effort

Falling in love and being in awe of the miracle that your child’s birth is all about is not a given for moms and other parents. Studies have shown that as much as 20% of new parents do not immediately feel an emotional connection with their newborn.

Don’t you worry if this happens. Bonding with your baby may just need more time and effort. Remember that you are still recovering from childbirth. It is ok to focus on your recovery, especially if it was a difficult for you.

As you care for your newborn, by skin-to-skin contact or through breastfeeding, the connection between you grows. And without you knowing it, a touch or a gaze from your baby may suddenly release a flood of positive emotions from you. This is a sign that caring for your baby has turned into a strong bond between you two.

Nurturing the bond with your baby with the help of Scottsdale postpartum doula!

You should clearly articulate your desire to form a bond with your baby as soon as you give birth. Let your family members and medical team know how important bonding with your newborn is to you. If you need help in communicating this to them, it may be good to consider having a doula on board during childbirth and postpartum.

Doulas of the Valley offer a range of services if ever you feel the need for a Scottsdale doula to be your physical, emotional, and informational support. We have provided exceptional care to families in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and the surrounding areas, and would love to do the same for you. These include the services of a travel doula or an adoption doula.

Let us help you bond better with your baby. We are here for you!

Reach out to us today. We look forward to hearing from you soon.