Baby & Family: How to Foster the Much Needed Bond

Bonding is the feeling of intense attachment that develops between you and your baby, which makes you instinctively protect and care for them. While the mother and baby bond through pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding, other family members may take some time to develop a close relationship with the new member. Helping your baby bond with the family members promotes their development and fosters a sense of security and self-worth. However, you should introduce your baby to family members one at a time to prevent overwhelming them.

How can dads bond with the baby?

• Spare 15-20 mins every day to conduct BabyG activities with your young one.
• Massage your baby: Touch is a powerful element in bonding. Massaging your baby is a lovely way to deepen your connection and help you both relax.
• Snuggle: Skin-to-skin contact always works! Cuddle your baby so that they feel your warmth, hear your heartbeat, and learn to recognise your smell.
• Be playful: Once your baby is six months old, they’ll enjoy some playtime. Exuberant games like bouncing the baby and tickling can ramp up the release of the happy hormones—dopamine, beta-endorphin, and oxytocin—and give you and your baby the heady rush of bonding. 
• Eye contact: If your baby is looking at you, look right into their eyes and smile. Let your facial expressions be animated and use sing-song voices as you talk and read to your baby. Simple games like peek-a-boo and mimicking your baby as they babble are fun ways to bond too.
• Sing songs: Your baby loves listening to you and it will develop your baby’s language skills. So, sing songs to your baby at bedtime, in the car or wherever you are; they won’t mind if you are off-key.

How to help my baby bond with grandparents?

• Encourage frequent visits so that your baby stays connected to them
• If you plan to visit, make sure that their house is baby-proofed well. Sharp and solid furniture should be covered with bumpers and any dangling cords should be taken care of.
• Put up pictures of grandparents in your home or leaf through family photo albums and point them out to your baby often.
• Give your children the time and materials needed to play and learn from their grandparents, like storybooks, play dough, toy animals, etc.
• Stay connected with the grandparents through video calls, and share pictures and videos of your baby with them regularly. 

How to encourage bonding between your older kids and the new baby?

• Spend time with your older kid while the little one is napping.
• Do not try to fit your newborn into your pre-baby schedule. Design a new schedule that involves both your baby and older kids.
• Include your older kid in baby-related activities like bathing, dressing, or singing to the baby. Praise your child when they act lovingly towards the baby and reward them for helping to take care of the baby.
• Organise family activities that will create fun memories and lasting bonds.
• Take family vacations so that your children can enjoy each other's company.

Bonding your kid with your immediate family can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. So get going with family bonding activities. 

References:

1. KidsHealth. Bonding with your baby.
2. NCT. How can dads bond with their baby?.
3. Healthychildren.org. Childproofing tips for grandparents.
4. KidsHealth. Preparing your child for a new sibling.
5. Understood. 7 ways to help your kids build a strong relationship.