Caring for your newborn baby

Becoming confident around your baby happens slowly over time. Finding out about what to expect can help

How you may feel

New parents react in different ways. Some new parents may fall head–over–heels in love with their baby straight away. Others will take a bit longer. You will probably be excited and exhausted. It may take a while to get used to your new baby and to figure out everything she wants and needs. Partners may feel a bit left out at this point, especially if they are leaving mum and baby in hospital to go home. It’s important to involve your partner in supporting you, as well as getting to know the newest member of your family.

Bonding with your baby

Bonding is what happens when you get strong feelings of attachment towards your baby. It is a very individual experience and you shouldn’t worry if it doesn’t happen straight away. Your baby is a completely new little person and however cute she is, it takes time to get to know her. Real bonding develops and strengthens as you care for her every day. You’ll find that your feelings deepen over time.

Skin–to–skin contact

Touch is incredibly important for babies. That’s why your baby is placed on your tummy as soon as possible after she is born. This skin– to–skin contact not only helps you and your baby to bond, but will comfort her when she is upset. Remember that she will love to be touched and that it’s a very important part of her emotional growth and development

Improving the physical and emotional health and wellbeing of expectant mothers, infants, children and young people throughout Aneurin Bevan University Health Board Area.

(N.B: The Family and Therapies team at ABUHB is NOT responsible for the content on the webpage links that we refer to in our resource sections and linked information to external sites. All information was accurate and appropriate at the time the webpage was created.)

Accessibility tools