Prenatal Bonding

For centuries, people have believed that an emotional connection exists between mother and baby even during the prenatal stage. Research has discovered that, indeed, there is credibility to this belief. The little human inside your baby bump can hear what is going on outside the womb and can feel your emotions. Here are some tips for prenatal bonding with your baby.

Prenatal Massage

A prenatal massage is a wonderful way to introduce your baby to human touch. After the first three months of pregnancy, gently massage cream or oil onto your baby bump and spread it out. This ritual is relaxing for you and your baby and may cause your baby to respond by kicking or changing positions.

Responding to Kicks

During your second trimester, you may start feeling your baby’s movement. Responding to movement from your baby is as close as you will get to a two-way communication with the baby before the birth. When you feel kicks or movement, rub your baby bump. You can also play games with your baby. Poke your stomach back gently when you feel your baby kicking. Wait and see if the baby will kick at the spot you poked or at another spot.

Music

Music is a popular method for prenatal bonding. From the second trimester, a baby’s hearing is developed enough to respond to outside noise. Studies conducted show that many babies are calmed by classical music and agitated by rock or heavy metal music. It has also been revealed that babies like music with the same tempo as their mother’s heart rate (such as lullabies for example). Also, after birth, babies may recognize music they have heard in the womb. This may not be a conscious recognition, but rather an affinity to that music.

Your voice

Since your baby can hear the outside world, hearing your voice is an important part of bonding with your baby. Talking and singing to your baby will help you feel a greater connection. Recognition of your voice will also help your baby become quickly attached to you after birth. Talk about anything. Say good morning when you wake up, read a story, talk about your day, or say ‘hello’ when you feel a kick. If you want to sing to your baby, don’t worry about what to sing or whether or not you have a good voice. Your baby just wants to hear your voice.

Your Emotions

Babies have been known to display a connection to their mother’s emotions while in the womb. If you are frightened, for example, your baby’s heart rate might jump up. A controversial area of prenatal research states that there may be a correlation between the mother’s emotions and the eventual personality of her child. For example, a mother who is constantly anxious while pregnant may give birth to a stressed out and worried child, whereas a mother who is relaxed and has a strong prenatal bond with her baby may bring into the world a more emotionally health child. Also, extreme emotional stress may actually physically harm the baby.