As a parent, it can be difficult to know exactly how to bond with your newborn. But the good news is that there are many simple and fun ways you can connect with your new baby and create beautiful memories together even in their first months of life! From singing and talking to exploring sign language and providing skin-to-skin contact, these activities will not only help build a strong bond but can also support healthy development. Keep reading for some tips on how to get started on creating an everlasting relationship with your infant from day one!

Establish routines and stick to them for consistency

Establishing and adhering to routines can provide consistency and peace of mind when things with a newborn can often feel overwhelming. Routines for things like feedings, naps, and bedtime can help keep the baby’s days regular and balanced. Additionally, establishing routines helps parents understand when their infants are likely to be happy or fussy and also makes it easier for them to remember things like when their child has eaten last and how much sleep they have had within 24 hours. This can be very helpful in creating a smarter schedule that works best for the whole family.

Make eye contact with your baby when speaking or playing to create trust

Interaction with a newborn baby is incredibly important for establishing a healthy relationship. One of the things that parents can do to start developing trust between themselves and their child is to make eye contact when speaking or playing. Making eye contact will help the baby feel safe and understand that the caregiver can be trusted, which helps build a strong bond between them. It’s an enjoyable experience to engage with babies and they often become intrigued by adults’ eyes and will return their gaze, creating a unique moment of connection. With simple things like eye contact, parents and babies can create wonderful trust together right from the start.

Read stories, sing songs, and talk to your child every day to build language skills

Taking the time to read stories, sing songs, and talk to your newborn every day can be one of the most rewarding things you as a parent can do for them. With infants, the more language exposure they receive from an early age, such as interactive reading that allows children to respond to books and activities with verbal sounds or physical gestures, the better their language and cognitive development will be. Engaging with your infant in this way further encourages language and literacy skills needed throughout their lifetime. Therefore, feel empowered by it being some of the best things you can do as a parent in building these essential skills!

Create a fuss-free feeding schedule to help with feeding times

When things to do with keeping an infant seem overwhelming, creating a fuss-free feeding schedule can be one of the best things to do. Having a mealtime regimen in place provides consistency and anticipation for both parent and baby. Scheduling regular eating times helps parents become more organized while streamlining things to do with their newborn. It also helps avoid overfeeding or hunger due to irregular feeding times. Setting up an easy-to-follow feeding plan will ensure adequate nutrition and less time worrying about when and how things should be done associated with eating schedules.

Give your baby plenty of skin-to-skin contact – cuddles, hugs, and massages are all great ways to connect and show love

Skin-to-skin contact is one of the most important things to do with a newborn and provides an incredible bonding opportunity. Studies have shown cuddles, hugs, and massages all trigger hormones of love, comfort, and protection. There are a variety of things you can do to share these moments with your baby, such as massaging your child’s chest or tummy in gentle circular motions with lotion; snuggling with them while listening to music or reading stories, or just lying together for a few minutes surrounded by warmth and closeness. These things both benefit the baby and allow parents to strengthen their bond with their newborn – creating memories that will last a lifetime!
Spend time outdoors together – the fresh air and sunshine can be calming for both you and your baby!

Spending quality time outdoors is a great way for parents and newborns to relax and bond. Getting outside into the fresh air and sunshine offers countless benefits for both children and adults alike, invigorating the senses, stimulating learning, and promoting physical health. Whether you are visiting a park, swimming in the local pool, taking a walk around the neighborhood or just lying in the grass on a sunny day, there are plenty of things that new parents can do with their infant outdoors. And being out in nature has been known to be calming for both parent and child – so pick up your baby carrier and take advantage of these tranquil moments!

Taking time to establish healthy habits and routines with your newborn can have a profound impact on the parent-child relationship. As parents, strive to make plenty of eye contact while speaking and playing with your baby, read stories and sing songs, create a fuss-free feeding schedule, and provide plenty of skin-to-skin contact. Furthermore, make sure to get some fresh air and spend quality time outdoors! These simple yet powerful tips can help you strengthen the bond with your little one. So if you are at a loss for what to do with a newborn, just remember – keep it consistent, spend quality time together, show love through connection, and take it outdoors!