They say a mother’s bond with her child is unlike any other. They’re right.
Maternal bond begins at different points for different people. For some, it’s immediate, right at birth. For others, it’s later on, sometimes weeks or even months after baby is born. That’s okay. Totally nothing wrong with that. So, how do you nurture the bond between you and baby if it doesn’t come right away?
The Power of Snuggles
Seems obvious, right? You’d be surprised how far some good snuggle time will go for you and your little one. Taking some time each day (…or all day) to cuddle up with your baby, especially during his or her first few days and weeks on this earth will do your bond good. Skin to skin contact is a great way to achieve this, so don’t be scared to cuddle up to a naked babe!
Studies have shown that preemies who are snuggled and loved on gained and kept more weight than preemies who were not. Talk about some major snuggle power.
Ultimately, cuddling and stroking your baby releases hormones in both of you called oxytocin, which releases hormones in the brain to deepen social bonding. This hormone is also released during breastfeeding.
Smells
One word—pheromones. Pheromones are the chemicals we put out to attract others, and are similarly secreted by our babies. Crazy, huh? If you’re a mom, then you’d probably agree— you could identify your baby’s smell from a mile away. Pheromones are the reason why!
Just as you pick up on your own baby’s scent, your baby picks up on yours. It’s a major element of comfort for babies, recognizing the scent of their mother, especially during times of stress.
Referring back to the snuggle topic, skin to skin contact does a baby good for recognizing your scent, only comforting the baby more and deepening that connection.
Affection
The more love and affection babies receive, the healthier they’ll be—literally. Studies have shown that individuals who receive more love and affection on a regular basis report less cases of illness and disease. The truth is, your baby is a bundle of new experiences. If new experiences make adults a little nervous, imagine how a new baby feels being sensitive to light, sound, hunger, fatigue, and more. Showing your baby affection can go so far, for both the baby and you as a mama. Provide your baby with as much physical and emotional affection as you can.
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THE CONTENT OF THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. If you have a medical emergency or question, immediately call your doctor or dial 911 for assistance.
