Page 111 - April Issue

family ties* carer* health & safety* food &
diet* wellness* big world*

in focus: infant

bonding

The importance of skin
to skin contact

When most of us hear the term Peer Breastfeeding Counsellor,
‘bonding’ we imagine a mother, in her working with the Doulas of
post labour glow of maternal warmth Dubai, there is no real timeframe
and an outpouring of pure undulated for bonding between a mother
joy towards the baby tinged with and baby, because bonding—
extreme overprotection. But why is this just like falling in love—is a
so important for the baby for future process that is different for
development? everyone. “Babies actually begin
to bond with their mothers
W hen most of us hear How while still in the womb and can mother, baby & child April 2011
the term ‘bonding’ recognise and will respond to
we imagine a Bonding is defined as the their mother’s smell and the
mother, in her post labour glow intense attachment that sound of her voice immediately
of maternal warmth and an develops between parents and after birth,” she says and it’s
outpouring of pure undulated their baby. It makes parents amazing to witness a baby only
joy towards the baby tinged want to shower their baby seconds old become calm as
with extreme overprotection. with love and affection and to soon as she is placed on her
But why is this so important protect and nourish their little mother’s chest and she hears
for the baby for future one. According to Christine her mother’s voice. Babies then
development? Waltenspuhl, Doula trained by have an intense need to bond
Nurturing Birth UK, La Leche with their mothers during the first
months of life.

But for mothers on the other
hand, Waltenspuhl points out

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