Bond With Baby
Bonding with a new baby looks different for every mom. It's common to feel a mix of emotions around your relationship with your child, including pressure, overwhelm, numbness, and worry. Your feelings do not define your ability to be a good mom or diminish the love you have for your baby. Like any relationship, connection and closeness grows over time. Connection doesn't have to mean constant physical touch or interaction. If you're feeling anxious about separating from your baby, remember that you aren't meant to care for your baby all on your own. It's beneficial to your well-being to allow other trusted people in your support system to help care for the baby so you can take care of yourself and have breaks.
Connection also grows over time.
If you feel disconnected from your baby, know this is common and doesn't reflect how much you love your child. If it feels comfortable, take time to hold your baby skin-to-skin. There are plenty of other meaningful ways to connect with your baby:
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Read a short book together or tell your baby stories
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Sing your favorite songs and nursery rhymes
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Make eye contact with your baby and mimic their gestures
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Speak to your baby, whether by repeating their sounds or having a conversation
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Simply spend time in the same room with your baby while you do something restorative for yourself (reading, listening to music, cleaning, or just breathing)