When your baby is born, bond using these activities.
Read to Your Baby
Every night, pick a book and read it aloud with your baby on your lap. There are many baby books available to buy and even a magazine specifically for reading to babies. If you get tired of reading baby books, pick something you like every once in a while. There are several benefits to this activity. Just being together and having some alone time will foster a sense of attachment. Repeating this activity every night will create a routine that will help the baby get ready for bed. Creating this habit for you helps ensure that there is some personal time with your child everyday.
Share Feeding Time
If at all possible, share the feeding schedule with your partner. The feeling of contributing towards caring for the new baby will carry a deep meaning for everyone involved. Holding your baby while you feed him/her gives you the opportunity to study him/her. And since your baby is constantly growing and learning, one of the many he/she is studying is you. Give your baby time to get to know you during feeding time.
Creative Bath Time
Being a new parent, bath time can be nerve-racking. Try taking a towel and laying it on the bed. Gather an extra towel, a bowl of warm water, a sponge/washrag, and baby wash. Give the baby a sponge bath on the towel. Lay the extra towel over the baby's legs until you get to those parts. Use the extra towel to roll the baby on each of his/her sides to wash the back and bottom. You don't have to pick the baby up while you are washing him/her, but if you do, you have the extra towel to hold the baby with. Doing this activity until you are comfortable with bath time will allow you both to enjoy this experience.
Include the Baby in What You Do
Some of the best times with your baby will be spent during your everyday activities. Have a special cloth toy to give the baby while you fold laundry. Give the baby a noisy toy while you are doing the dishes, and make noise together! Hold the baby while you vacuum the floor. This will help your child to not be scared of the vacuum in the future. Have some toy keys for the baby to play with as you get ready to get in the car to run errands. Even have a play phone so the baby can talk on the phone when you are on the phone. All these activities will give you experiences together and bring you closer to your baby. Just being creative and including your baby in your day will create a lifelong bond.
