As I was tucking my 3 year old into bed, he asked me to read him the book, “Are You My Mother?” I love this book. It is a fun one about a little bird that goes around asking everyone if they are his mother. After I was done reading, I asked my son, “Am I your mother?” and he laughed, and said, “No!” I said, “Then, what am I?” He said, “My Mom!” I then asked him, “Well, who is my mother?” to which he quickly replied, “Mother goose!”
A child’s perception of his mother is a funny thing. While, he may not have recognized the word “mother” as it related to me, he definitely knows that I am his mommy.
A baby also knows his mother. From the moment a baby is conceived, he is hearing your voice, and when he is born, the baby quickly becomes used to your smell. The bond between a mother and her baby is indescribable. Baby quickly learns that most of his care is coming from you, too. You are the one that will clothe him, bathe him, hold him, comfort him when he needs comfort, and be there for him night and day. There is no one out there like your mother.
You can do some things to ensure that the bond between you and your baby is always strong. Besides providing for his basic needs, you can try hard to build a relationship that is fun, and full of trust. Here are some ideas:
Hold baby even when he doesn’t “need” it.
Read baby stories, get on the floor with your baby for some down time.
As your baby gets older, play with him and give him lots of time to study your face. It is one of his favorite things.
Love your baby through gestures. Of course you love your baby, but the more time you spend holding and touching him, and cuddling him, the more he will feel that love.
Just like the baby bird in the story, every baby knows his mother, even without seeing her. Every minute spent with your child is one that will help build the bonds that will last a lifetime.
*Photo courtesy of Morguefile.com