12 Ways to Bond with Babies

1. Make Silly Faces--Babies respond to in the moment, a funny face or “peek a boo” can change a mood and keep it positive.

2. Be the one who comforts the tears--Soothing a crying baby makes the association between the comforter and the baby and builds the connection.

3. Babies like to move and dance when being help--Babies love music and they love to dance. As he grows the dancing can grow with him.

4. Change the Diaper--Diaper duty is also a time to bond. Even though it may be a little smelly, you get to talk to him and be part of an intimate process.

5. Take a Sick Day--When your baby gets ill it's important for you to nurture him too -- so take a day off to stay home with baby. Try to go to healthy doctor checkups too, so you can hear from the doctor how he's developing and growing.

6. Be the one who is up at night--Night-time can be the worst gas, or more hunger or the hardest time to calm him down, be there and he’ll bond under the stress of getting through the hard time with you.

7. Take a whole day together--Your baby will great real comfortable with familiarity and routine, try to spend chunks of time together.

8. Talk to your baby--Studies have shown that babies can know who is talking to them and once born will be more familiar and bonded to those voices.

9. Use Massage--Massaging your baby is a wonderful way to ease infant digestion, relieve colic and help with breathing.

10. Be skin to skin--Get into the bath with your baby. Bathing is a fantastic way for parents to bond as babies may be startled at being put into a bath.

11. Use a snuggly or wrap and go for a walk or just wear your baby--They’ll get used to you and your smells, its automatic bonding and the baby will feel comforted and close to his carrier/wearer.

12. Listen to Music with your baby before and after birth and sing to him--Babies are often stimulated by music and most babies love being jiggled about. A fun activity is to put on a favorite song or sing.