The first relationship your baby will ever have in this world is with you. The best way to bond with your baby is showing them how to use their 5 senses – taste, sight, touch, smell and hearing. In Part 7 of “What To Expect When You’re Expecting”, we will discuss significant ways to provide your baby with a sense of comfort and security.
Taste: As mentioned in our previous article, “The Basics of Breastfeeding”, choosing to breastfeed your baby is one of the best ways to bond with your baby. Your newborn will become accustomed to your taste and overall presence during the process of breastfeeding. According to Sanford Health, “babies prefer sweet tastes over sour or bitter tastes. [They] show a strong preference for breastmilk, especially if they are breastfed and then offered formula or a bottle.”
Sight: Eye-to-eye contact with your baby promotes meaningful communication at a close range. As soon as birth, babies can follow moving objects with their eyes. Early on, you will notice that your baby may even imitate your facial expressions. Babies can focus only at a close range however, about 8 to 10 inches apart. We tend to notice an increased at improvement at years 2 and 3. We recommend purchasing toys or baby books with distinct black and white patterns.
Touch: Touch promotes a strong bond between you and your infant, while also promoting your baby’s growth and development. Babies respond best to skin-to-skin contact, as it is both soothing and comforting. Holding a baby for feedings is an easy way to bond with your baby in your arms. Other ways include cuddling, holding your baby in a sling or carrier and the “swaddling technique”. The swaddling technique is where you wrap your baby snuggly in a light blanket or sheet. For proper precaution, only use this technique if your baby is 2 months old or younger.
Smell: Did you know your baby’s sense of smell develops as early as the womb? Fetuses have the ability to breathe in chemicals as early as 6 months into your pregnancy. By the time your baby is born, they can smell almost as well as adults! Newborns can recognize the smell of their mother before birth and appreciate consistent smells ie. using the same shampoo in your hair. Some smells however, may be more harmful than good. For example, if you’re wearing a strong-scented perfume, the baby is less likely to feed properly.
Hearing: Babies prefer human voices, specifically higher-pitched females versus males. Babies simply enjoy listening to conversations, playing close-attention to their mother’s voice. They also can tune out loud noises and adapt quickly in conversation. As a new parent, we encourage talking, singing and reading primarily. We also recommend soothing and soft music too.
The Cradle Boss Baby is the #1 resource for new and current parents to help break down the best practices for pregnancy, parenting and beyond. Our team is composed of highly-skilled childcare specialists, nannies and caregivers (some who are parents themselves!) to best support and understand your needs as a new parent. Stay tuned for Part 8 of our series where we uncover the terrible two taboos and what to expect…
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