How to Nurture the Mother-Daughter Relationship from Infancy

The mother-daughter relationship starts almost from the moment you find out that you are pregnant. You feel exhilarated, especially if you are ready to start your family. The birth of your little daughter is one of the greatest miracles that you will ever experience in your lifetime. The joy surpasses all the pain that you will experience during labor and delivery. At the moment this precious little human being, your daughter, is placed in your arms, your eyes will well up with tears of happiness. You will count her fingers and toes; and if she is okay, you will give thanks to God for this tremendous gift. The bond between you and your infant daughter will grow daily with every loving touch and care. If you are committed to loving your daughter from infancy through adulthood, you will have great joy in your heart even on difficult days. Your baby was surrounded by warm amniotic fluid throughout her nine months development in your womb. The birth is literally a shock to her. She has to learn to eat, sleep, and feel secure and safe. There are specific things that you can do to soothe her and nurture her healthy mental, emotional, and physical development.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Love
• Patience
• Help and support from husband
• Help from others
• Parenting classes
• Mother-Baby Group
• Pediatrician

1. Importance of physical contact: Touching, holding, and gently stroking will bring warmth to her body and will relax her. The loving touch of your hands will also make her feel secure and safe. Pick her up whenever she cries. Hold her close to you so that she can even hear your heart beating. Hold her lovingly and it will nurture a strong bond between you. Later as she gets older, she will be able to calm herself.
2. Importance of breastfeeding: The U.S. Surgeon General recommends breastfeeding for the first six months. The mother’s milk is very nutritious and has important ingredients for healthy growth and development. Breast milk is more easily digested than formula and it has antibodies that protect the baby from disease and infection. Breastfeeding also helps the uterus return to its original size and helps the mother to get back to her normal weight. In addition breastfeeding gives you a wonderful opportunity to spend time together and to be close.
3. Importance of verbal communication: Talking to her is very important. She will love to hear your familiar voice while you are holding her, changing her diapers, or giving her a bath. She will also enjoy you singing to her and playing soft music for her. Also get in the habit of reading baby books to her daily.

Tips & Warnings

• Get help: You will be embarking on a most difficult job and will need help. The first two weeks will be particularly difficult because you will be tired and still hurting from the birth process. Make out a schedule and ask your husband to commit to helping you. Also ask your mother to come and stay with you for 2-3 weeks.
• Educate yourself: Do take parenting classes and join a Mother-Baby Group. You will meet other mothers with whom you can share your daily struggles as well as joys and who also may help you out.
• Know your limits: If you are alone and she cries to the point that you experience total exhaustion, call someone to help immediately. Don’t ever strike or shake your infant.
• If you are a teenage mother, you will need even more help.