Parenting Infants - Interaction with Infants

Bonding with an infant is one of the most spiritual activities on earth and one of the easiest.

Skin to Skin

It’s no secret that infants need warmth and love; studies have even shown that infants are happiest when their skin meets with Moms or Dads. Snuggling up bare skinned with a newborn is like heaven to them and when the room is warm it’s a good idea to bond with baby skin to skin. Although some people may find it a little strange, it’s one of those little proven facts and one of those little moments that Mom and Dad will remember forever.

Feeding

The breadwinner is always respected, whether it be Mom or Dad feeding time is a good time to bond with baby and interact. Softly spoken words, a warm body and eyes that gaze into the infant’s eyes are appreciated. Babies learn some of the most basic skills in the beginning such as love and trust, that’s why those silent moments are sometimes the most important.

Diaper Changes

One of the most common things to do at diaper changing time is talk and babies just marvel at the skills people have, babies interact by kicking their arms and legs or cooing. Just because a baby isn’t verbally understandable yet doesn’t mean they aren’t readable. Babies love to be spoken to and studies have even shown that babies that are spoken to a lot tend to develop speech patterns earlier.

Bath Time

Bath time is a time of exploration and interactions too. Babies feel the warmth of soap and water on their skin; they listen to the water that trickles around them and the calming voice of Mom or Dad. Talking to baby during bath time, washing each area one at a time to see which area stimulates baby the most beginning with their arms, their chest, the neck and working downward, most babies love it when they have their backs washed but struggle to keep an eye on Mom or Dad, the two most beautiful people on earth!

Massage

Massaging baby with lotion is a good time to bond too, babies love touch and its times like these when baby does miraculous things. Babies show us in small ways what they like or dislike and the more time we take to interact with baby, the more we learn about them as little people. Play little word games with baby, make facial expressions and sing to them.

Other Ways

Researchers have even found that premature babies respond to touch and interaction, babies are miracles in themselves. Showing baby objects, talking to them, whispering to them in their ear, massaging them, being close to them, rocking them, singing to them, watching baby videos, counting or turning on a soft CD and ultimately paying lots of attention to them are vital for their development.

Stimulating baby is relatively easy but holding their attention without aggravating them can be a task. Baby will let you know when he/she has had enough but when a parent concentrates on gaining baby’s trust … the interactive world of baby is alive and well.