Join me today as I chat with one of my beloved mamas, Quincy, from our birth class, The VBAC Lab.
I'll never forget when Quincy opened up during one of our weekly hangouts without students and mama members in the membership. She was transparent and shared her struggle to bond with her first baby. It was such a vulnerable and beautiful conversation, and I am so grateful that Quincy opted to come onto The Birth Experience and share her story.
We recently talked to another mama, Ronnie, about her experience bonding and realized that so many mamas struggle with guilt when the bond isn't magical.
This is why I am adding some of the tips I have gathered throughout my career and from the mamas I hang with every week inside our private membership.
Tips for Bonding Foundation Before Baby is Born:
- Talk to Baby
- Call The Baby By Name
- Keep a Pregnancy Journal
Here are some tips for bonding with a baby:
- Physical touch: Holding, hugging, cuddling, and kissing the baby helps to create a strong bond. Skin-to-skin contact is crucial for newborns, as it can help regulate their body temperature, breathing, and heart rate.
- Eye contact: Eye contact with the baby during feedings, diaper changes, and playtime help build a connection and allows the baby to feel seen and heard.
- Talking and singing: Talking and singing to the baby helps to establish a connection and encourages language development.
- Responding to needs: Being responsive to the baby's needs, such as feeding, changing, and soothing, helps the baby to feel secure and loved.
- Spending time together: Spending time with the baby, such as going for walks, playing games, and reading books, helps to build a bond and create positive experiences.
- Schedule Self-care for YOU!!!
Remember, bonding takes time and may not happen immediately. It is important to be patient and consistent in your efforts to bond with the baby.
Resources:
Grab a Free Pregnancy/Postpartum Checklist Bundle
Connect w/ Trish:
For more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Next Steps with LNM:
If you are ready to invest in your pregnancy & postpartum journey, you are in the right place. I would love to take your hand and support you in your virtual labor room!
If you are ready to dive into a birth class and have your best and most powerful birth story, then Calm Labor Confident Birth or The VBAC Lab is your next step.
If you have a scheduled cesarean, take our Belly Birth Masterclass and own that experience.
If you are a newly pregnant mama or just had the babe, you want to join our private pregnancy and postpartum membership, Calm Mama Society.
Remember, my advice is not medical advice. Always discuss what you learn with your team. See my Disclaimer here! Also, We make a small commission from some of the links (you don’t pay any more for using our links); however some of the recommendations, we do not earn anything; we love ’em and want you to know about them.