Prenatal Bonding

How prenatal bonding impacts your baby’s development

 

The saying goes that love knows no boundaries or distances – not even in the womb. It’s actually never too early to start forming a wholesome and beautiful relationship with your baby, and prenatal bonding is the way to begin! This vibrant two-way connection offers profound benefits for your baby’s development. Let’s dive into this delightful (and sometimes quirky) journey of how your bond shapes your little one’s world before they’ve even opened their eyes.

 

It’s more than just your voice…

Did you know that your baby can start hearing sounds from as early as 18 weeks? Other research shows that your child could even recognise your voice at 25 weeks. How sweet is that? This means that when you’re chatting to your baby, they can hear you and already start acclimating to your voice. At that stage, babies can also tune into the songs you sing, music playing in the background, even the lullabies you might hum to them. All that to say – talk and sing to your developing little one!

 

A little taste of home

Bonding also includes the nutrition and tastes that your baby experiences in the womb. The womb contains amniotic fluid, which carries faint traces of scents and aromas from the foods you eat. Which means that your baby’s first “meal” is flavoured with your cravings. If you love mangoes or strawberries while pregnant, don’t be surprised if your baby arrives into the world with a budding palate for the same foods.

 

Emotional wellbeing

How you feel can be felt by your baby. From a study, “As a foetus grows, it's constantly getting messages from its mother. It's not just hearing her heartbeat and whatever music she might play to her belly; it also gets chemical signals through the placenta.” In this study, researchers found, “What mattered to the babies was if the environment was consistent before and after birth. That is, the babies who did best were those who either had mothers who were healthy both before and after birth, and those whose mothers were depressed before birth and stayed depressed afterward. What slowed the babies' development was changing conditions - a mother who went from depressed before birth to healthy after or healthy before birth to depressed after.”

 

Tips for prenatal bonding

  • When you feel those butterfly kicks, take a moment to touch your stomach, and say hi to your baby. That’s their way of communicating. Some researchers believe kicks and nudges are a way for babies to respond to your movements or sounds. 
  • Talk, sing, confide in your bump. As we’ve learned, your little one is receptive to your voice. It’s never too early to even start reading bedtime stories. 
  • Touch and stroke your bump often to send soothing signals to your baby. By 20 weeks, your baby is attuned to Mom’s special touch, and some studies reveal that this physical connection can even regulate their heart rate. It’s not just a sweet gesture – it’s an early “I love you.”  
  • Keep a baby bonding journal if you’re up to it. Write down all the special moments of this incredible journey, and you can even share the journal with your child when they’re older. 
  • Try prenatal yoga. It’s a gentle form of exercise and helps you focus on your breathing, which can help you feel more connected to your baby

 

Prenatal bonding isn’t just a pregnancy experience; it’s the foundation of a lifelong relationship with your child. From those fluttery kicks to special songs you make up just for your baby, every interaction adds a unique colour to the wonder that is your baby’s development. Embrace the joy, sprinkle in some fun, and know that every moment of love you give is a gift that lasts a lifetime.


Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. Always check with your doctor or medical practitioner about any health concerns, before embarking on any fitness or nutrition programme, or using any medication.