You can’t exactly gossip about the neighbors over a glass of wine or catch a Sunday football game on TV with them. While those may seem obvious, what’s not apparent to some are the ways that you can spend time with them that will benefit them the most. This is a general crash course list of 5 activities you can do to bond with your newborn.
1. Tummy Time
Your newborn will be spending a lot of time sleeping or in a car seat or being held. In other words, they are on their backs a lot. A great way to spend time with them during active times is sharing tummy time.
Exploring or spending time on their stomach is a great way to spur development and be involved in their first meaningful moments of play. As they begin to crawl and explore more, you will see their growth first-hand, which is a great bonding experience alone.
2. Have Fun Smiling
Be silly with them! Smile or play peekaboo; feel free to have fun with it. This not only is a stress-free way to bond with them but also encourages emotional stimulation bringing about much-needed growth.
Babies are very observant, so as they begin to pick up on social cues, you will see your baby’s personality develop right before your eyes!
3. Having a Meal Together
The timing may not always be perfect but sharing a mealtime is a great way to begin getting your baby used to the communal aspect of eating, all while being extremely entertaining dinner company.
This might not be something that happens every day, with infant feeding patterns being as sporadic as they are, but it can be a much-welcomed change of pace and allow for some excellent quality time.
4. Listening to Music
There is a universal language in music that connects with people of all ages; even from before birth, infants are able to get something out of the music-listening experience.
That alone makes it an excellent way for parents to bond with their babies, all while requiring minimal effort on everyone’s part involved.
5. Put on a Show!
Be the entertainer! Start to imprint upon your child the idea that while you are their caregiver and parent, you are also there to bring joy and happiness. You may feel a little silly while doing it, but putting on a puppet show or something similar can provide a lot of the experiences that babies need and enjoy.
While this list is a great place to start ideas on bonding with your newborn, any way that you are spending personal time with them will be a win in the long game. So take a breath, relax, and be with your newborn.
Jane Tatham Photography specialises in Newborn, Baby and Maternity Photography for families in and around Rossendale, Lancashire.
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