Connections beyond the Bump
Provide consistent and
responsive parenting
Each interaction with your baby is an opportunity for attachment. Although no parent makes a connection every time, the goal is to create a consistent pattern.
Parents who accept and validate their child's emotional communications send a powerful message: "Your feelings matter, you will be taken care of, and you have a trustworthy and secure base from which to explore." One way to validate a child's emotions is by verbally acknowledging the discomfort, stimulation, or whatever the child is feeling. Again, it doesn't matter that your child can't understand your words – she senses your intention.
Each interaction with your baby is an opportunity for attachment. Although no parent makes a connection every time, the goal is to create a consistent pattern.
Parents who accept and validate their child's emotional communications send a powerful message: "Your feelings matter, you will be taken care of, and you have a trustworthy and secure base from which to explore." One way to validate a child's emotions is by verbally acknowledging the discomfort, stimulation, or whatever the child is feeling. Again, it doesn't matter that your child can't understand your words – she senses your intention.
Connect with your child
through touch, physical comfort, laughter, and play
Some parents fear they might be spoiling their babies by constantly holding and carrying them. But because an infant's brain and body systems are so immature at birth, a newborn has no capacity for independence and needs your loving touch and support. Studies over the last several decades show substantial lifelong advantages in physical, mental, social, and emotional health for children who receive consistent, warm, positive attention and care that's appropriate for their developmental stage.
Some parents fear they might be spoiling their babies by constantly holding and carrying them. But because an infant's brain and body systems are so immature at birth, a newborn has no capacity for independence and needs your loving touch and support. Studies over the last several decades show substantial lifelong advantages in physical, mental, social, and emotional health for children who receive consistent, warm, positive attention and care that's appropriate for their developmental stage.
Care for yourself and
for your own emotional well-being
With all the focus on reading your baby and responding to her, it's easy to lose sight of your own needs. But they are just as important! As a new mother, you may feel like your body's been through an earthquake, and it's essential that you take care of it – eating well, getting outside, and walking and resting as much as you can.
For both parents, stress, exhaustion, irritability, and the desire to withdraw from your partner – even the world – are typical. Postpartum depression, anxiety, and other mood changes are also very common. All these changes can have a significant impact on your baby's ability to develop healthy attachment.
With all the focus on reading your baby and responding to her, it's easy to lose sight of your own needs. But they are just as important! As a new mother, you may feel like your body's been through an earthquake, and it's essential that you take care of it – eating well, getting outside, and walking and resting as much as you can.
For both parents, stress, exhaustion, irritability, and the desire to withdraw from your partner – even the world – are typical. Postpartum depression, anxiety, and other mood changes are also very common. All these changes can have a significant impact on your baby's ability to develop healthy attachment.
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