Attachment
What is attachment?
Attachment is the special connection you will develop with your baby. Attachment develops as you respond to your baby when they are sick, hurt, upset, sad, scared, or lonely. Responding to your baby when they need you, teaches them they are safe and loved. You can never spoil a baby by responding to them and loving them.
Bonding is also important, but it is different. Bonding is the emotion you feel when you care and connect with your baby. Sometimes it takes time to bond with your baby, and that is okay. Feeding your baby, singing to your baby and reading to your baby will help you bond.
Why is attachment important?
When you respond to your baby's needs, you are building secure attachment. Secure attachment lets your baby explore the world and have a safe place to come back to. Secure attachment also helps your baby learn how to trust other people. It is an important part of developing healthy relationships for later in life.
How to form a secure attachment
There are many things that you and your partner can do to build a secure attachment while you are pregnant. You can:
- Think about your growing baby and talk, sing, and read to them.
- Make a note about your baby's movements. Rub your belly and talk to them at the same time.
- Keep a diary or journal of your thoughts and feelings.
- Take time for yourself. Find activities such as prenatal yoga to help you manage stress.
- Think of things you and your baby will do after they are born.