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How To Bond With Your Baby Without Breastfeeding
Have you heard that breastfeeding can be a bonding experience with your baby? Yes, it sure is.
But what if you are unable to or have chosen not to breastfeed?
What if you’re the dad, and well… you are biologically unable to breastfeed?
Breastfeeding is not the only way to bond with your baby.
And moms are not the only person the baby can bond with. Dads, siblings, grandparents, and other family members can also form a bond with the baby.
Bonding with the baby might look different for everyone, but there are many activities you can do to create a strong relationship with your child without breastfeeding. Here are some ideas:
1. Skin To Skin
Skin to skin interaction has many great benefits, such as emotional bonding, and regulation of temperature, breathing, and heart rate. It also builds your baby’s sense of physical and emotional security.
All you need to do is have baby’s clothes off and lay on top of your bare chest. Skin to skin is very commonly taught with breastfeeding mothers, but you can do this too, dads!
The best thing is, skin to skin interaction can be done any time of the day.
It is great to do during feeding time when you are holding your baby close to you, or even when you are resting. If you like to wear your baby on a sling around the house, you can do that skin to skin. When you are lounging while watching tv, lay your baby on your chest skin to skin!
2. Facial Expressions
Eye contact: This is one of the most intimate ways you can connect with another person, let alone your baby. Express your affection through a gentle gaze into their eyes.
Smiling: Babies can tell when you smile! In fact, babies like to mimic what they see, so if you are smiling, chances are they will too!
3. Infant massage
Babies love getting massages.
Infant massage can help with digestion and relaxation to fall asleep. It can also help your baby feel nurtured and loved with your gentle touch.
Talk to your doctor or pediatrician if you are concerned with any underlying health issues of your baby. If you are seeking infant massage for specific health reasons, you may want to reach out to a qualified professional or infant massage specialist who can teach you techniques tailored to your baby.
4. Changing Diapers
That’s right! Changing diapers can be the perfect time to bond with your baby. You’re doing this every couple of hours anyway, might as well enjoy it! Smile, sing a song, or talk through the steps of diaper changing and make it fun!
5. Bottle Feeding
If your baby feeds from a bottle, then bottle feeding is yet another activity that you’ll find yourself doing every couple of hours. You are holding your baby, spending time with them, and feeding them essential nutrients.
Smile and make eye contact during the feeding! And remember, you can also do this skin to skin!
If you are looking for bottle recommendations, I have a whole list on my Recommended Products page linked here.
Check out this post to learn more about bottle feeding:
Introducing Breastfed Baby’s First Bottle And How To Bottle Feed With Paced Bottle Feeding
6. Respond To Baby’s Cues
Learn to recognize what cues your baby gives you when they are hungry, wanting to be held, or wanting to play!
Responding to their cues tells your baby that you are paying attention and acknowledging them by meeting their needs. This is very important in helping your baby establish a trusting relationship with you!
7. Talk To Your Baby
Talking to your baby allows you to build a connection with your baby, while also helping with language building. Even though your baby may or may not understand what you are saying, they enjoy hearing your voice and feeling connected with you!
You can talk about anything – if you’re cooking, talk to your baby about what you are making.
If you are changing their diaper, you can also verbally say what you are doing:
“It is time to change now, here comes the wipe!”
8. Sing To Your Baby
If you find yourself unsure of what to talk to your baby about, try singing! Singing is a great way to stimulate your baby’s brain. You can also move the baby’s arms to dance and play while you sing.
9. Read Storybooks
This is a great bonding activity that also introduces language skills and visual stimulation. Reading storybooks can teach your baby about communication, listening skills, and understanding the concept of words and pictures.
If your baby is too young to read, pick up some picture books to start off! You can go through the picture book together as you narrate a story from it.
Find books that have bright colors and different textures for your baby to see and touch. There are also plastic waterproof books and soft fabric cloth books that are safe for babies to put in their mouths or in the bath.
10. Bonus suggestion for the non-birthing parent
Learn how to put your baby to sleep.
If your partner fed the baby, you can take the baby after the feeding so your partner can rest and have some alone time.
Try rocking your baby, singing, cuddling, swaddling… find what works best for you and your baby! Not only is this a great bonding activity, but mastering ways to put your baby to sleep can be the super secret for parents to get enough rest.
Get creative with your own ways to bond with your baby and have fun with it! There are plenty of bonding activities out there that do not have to involve breastfeeding.
What is your favorite activity to do with your baby?
References
How to Physically Bond With a Baby You Can’t Breastfeed
https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/photo-gallery/bonding-with-your-baby-while-bottle-feeding.aspx
I used to do some of these when I stopped breastfeeding my little ones. I felt so sad stopping but I found other great ways to bond with my baby and stay connected. Great post!
Hi Yesenia, thank you for reading! Weaning breastfeeding can be an emotional journey. Love to hear that you found ways to bond with your baby!
Nice post 🙂
Thank you, Reut!