Infants: When Bonding Isn't Instant

October 6, 12:56 PMParenting ExaminerTerreece Clarke

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Aftter 9 months of eager anticipation your child makes their debut into the world. The nurse or doctor places your baby into your arms and you wait for that flood of love and emotion everyone talks about to wash over you.

Nothing happens.

So you wait a little more. Then you maybe fake it a little with a few "Oooh's!" and hope no one can see right through them. You also begin the guilt and blame game. "Why don't I feel something? What's wrong with me? I'm a terrible parent!"

Bonding isn't always instant for parents. (Now say "Whew!")

The great thing is there are ways to increase opportunities for bonding with your baby. One of my favorites is "Kangaroo Care."

According to the Mayo Clinic:

"Kangaroo Care is a method of holding a baby that involves skin-to-skin contact. The baby, who is naked except for a diaper and a piece of cloth covering his or her back (either a receiving blanket or the parent's clothing), is placed in an upright position against a parent's bare chest. This snuggling of the infant inside the pouch of their parent's shirt, much like a kangaroo's pouch, led to the creation of the term "kangaroo care.""

Many parents use a baby sling to aid in skin-to skin contact while going about their daily activities and the great thing about Kanga Care is dads can take part as well. Each parent provides a different stimulation for the baby. The Maya Clinic list some of the benefits to both babies and parents:

The benefits of kangaroo care to the baby include:

• Stabilization of the baby's heart rate
• Improved (more regular) breathing pattern
• Improved oxygen saturation levels (an indicator of how well oxygen is being delivered to all the infants organs and tissues)
• Gain in sleep time
• More rapid weight gain
• Decreased crying
• More successful breastfeeding episodes
• Earlier hospital discharge

The benefits of kangaroo care to the parents include:

• Improved bonding, feelings of closeness with their babies
• Increased breast milk supply
• Increased confidence in ability to care for their babies
• Increased confidence that their babies are well cared for
• Increased sense of control

So if the bond isn't instant, don't worry, you're not alone and with time you'll be more in love with your little one than you could have ever imagined.

Did you have trouble bonding with your baby? Share your tips and encouragement with others!

 photo credit: stock.xnchg.hu