How to Bond Prenatally With Your Baby

Prenatal bonding with your baby is special and important. Unborn babies can see, hear and feel. When you start bonding with your baby, your body releases a chemical called endorphins into your bloodstream and it creates a good feeling for your baby. The following are some of the many ways to bond with your unborn baby--and start a lifetime of love and commitment.

Things You'll Need

• Music
• Journal

Instructions

1. Talk to your baby throughout the day. Let her know what is going on in your world and explain things as though she were beside you. This may seem silly to do at first, but what you are doing is integrating communication and love. You are including her in what you do and allowing her to feel as though she is a part of your day.

2. Sing or play music during the day or when you lie down at night. Your baby loves the sound of your voice. Singing to him will create wonderful feelings of attachment and bonding. Playing music such as soft lullabies can soothe your baby, and he'll even remember the tune, if you play it often enough when he is born.

3. Touch your belly often. Your baby will be able to feel your gentle caresses, and more importantly, she will bathe in the endorphins of love and attention.

4. Think positive thoughts about your baby. Think about how much you want him and how thankful you are that he is there inside of you. Even if you have a stressful day, touch your belly and tell your baby how very happy you are that he is sharing this journey with you.

5. Play games with your baby. If she kicks or pokes you, gently poke back. She may poke again in the same spot or a different one. You can continue this game until she stops. Once again, it's about acknowledging her presence and being playful and aware.

6. Write your baby a letter. Tell him about your day or about a doctor's appointment. Write down when you first saw him on the ultrasound or heard his heartbeat for the first time. You can even record that on a cassette recorder and share it with him when he's older. As you journal, create positive, loving feelings as you remember back on your day of events.

Tips & Warnings

• Always be honest with your baby. Since your baby feels all of the emotions that you do, via your hormones, you can't lie to her.

• If you suffer from severe depression which prevents you from bonding with your baby or you have a very negative image and feeling about your pregnancy, seek professional help. Negative emotions release the hormone, cortisol, which over a long period of time could be emotionally and mentally harmful to the developing baby.

Resources

• The Mindful Birth