Having your baby close helps you get to know them. This could mean:
- Lots of skin to skin contact whenever you feel like it – it’s not only for just after birth. Dads and other parents should get involved too!
- Cuddling and holding your baby lots.
- Using a sling when you’re moving around to keep your baby close.
- Talking and singing to your baby to let them know you’re there with them.
This will help you to learn and recognise the signals they make to tell you they are hungry or need a cuddle. Understanding your baby in this way, and responding to their signals helps them feel safe. When you cuddle them against your skin they hear your heartbeat, which calms them. This can also help you feel calm and relaxed, which helps with breastfeeding.
This sort of safe, warm connection has been shown to support babies’ brain development. New parents sometimes wonder whether they might ‘spoil’ their baby by holding them too much. You can’t spoil a baby. Responding to their needs for comfort and food will support their brain development and help them feel secure. Babies who are responded to in this way grow into more confident toddlers.
