Bonding with your baby

Mother-child relationshipRelationshipWhen 2 people are in a relationship, they have a bond with each…Read more

The bond between mother and child grows naturally during pregnancyPregnancyThe time when a woman is expecting a baby. The pregnancy begins when…Read more.

Mother and baby spontaneously react to each other’s signals. The baby recognises the smell and heartbeat of its mother.

Each day the mother understands better what the baby needs. For example: why they cry or when they are hungry.

Breast-feeding helps to strengthen the bond between mother and child. Mothers who do not breast-feed can find other ways to bond with their baby.

Father-child relationship

For fathers, it can be more difficult to create such a strong bond. But fathers, too, can strengthen their relationship with their child. They can, for example:

• Feed the baby breast-milkBreast-milkMilk from a woman's breast. Women can feed their baby with breast-milk.Read more or powdered baby milk from a bottle;
• Cuddle the baby;
• Bathe the baby;
• Carry the baby around in a sling.

These moments of closeness are important to father and child. It also means that the mother can rest from time to time.

Talking

Becoming a parent is a learning process. Talk to your family, friends, other parents and your general practitioner or midwifeMidwifeA trained person who helps a pregnant woman before, during and after delivery.…Read more. They can help you and give advice. Also talk with your partnerPartnerPerson you are in a relationship with.Read more about what you both want and need.