How Non-Breastfeeding Parent Can Bond With Baby

breastfeeding isn't the only way for parents and babies to bond

When a baby is breastfed, bonding can feel challenging for a partner because of the attachment bond between the breastfeeding parent and baby.

Bonding is about more than feeding as there are a plethora of different ways to connect with your new baby.

Ways to bond that don't include feeding are taking over soothing duties. For example, your baby may have gas and be really upset because of it. That would then be an opportunity for baby massage. You may experience a "witching hour" (when a baby is relentlessly crying, and you've tried all of the obvious things) with your baby on a daily basis (usually in the evening time). When this happens, you'll want to bring down stimulation and by doing so, you will use methods that are soothing. For instance, you will go into a small dark room (even a walk-in closet will suffice) and rock (not bounce) you baby while holding a pacifier in the baby's mouth while saying "shh" in their ear. Other ways to bring down stimulation that are also bonding are laying your baby on a changing table and bringing their hands to their chest (you can even incorporate feet to chest as well). You can gently bounce on a yoga ball, you could baby wear skin to skin, you can go on a walk in the stroller in nature and you can take a co-bath together (the ultimate!).

You also want to make sure you're dedicating time each day to spend with your baby so that you're building that momentum and continuity in bonding with your baby. What this might look like each day is a walk in the stroller or if it's too cold, walking by the window and talking about what you see outside (bonus for vitamin d!), you could do several rounds of tummy/floor time together, in the evening you can make bathtime a routine. Lastly, before bed, rock in a rocking chair while singing a song and then reading a book.

These are all ways to set you up in connecting with your baby :)