How to bond with your baby

Bonding is an essential process, for both baby and parent. Luckily, bonding is very easy, and it comes as second nature to most moms (and dads!) Bonding is a way to get to know your child, and have your child get to know you. 

1)      Feeding: Whether you breastfeed or bottle feed, this is a great time to bond with your baby. When feeding in a calm and comfortable environment (soft music or no noise at all) your baby will not only have their needs met, but will feel calm and secure.  

2)      Touch: Some experts actually recommend that you gently massage your baby, but your touch is what is important here. Skin-to-skin contact will help your baby understand who you are and will help instill the trust and love that will last a lifetime.  

3)      Use Your Voice: your baby has heard your voice all through your pregnancy. Talk softly to your baby while they’re eating, bathing, or just when you’re holding them. You can even sing a lullaby. 

4)      Learn Your baby’s cries: Your baby has different cries for every need: hungry, wet, tired, pain, or just plain boredom. You will learn these different cries over time and will be able to know what your child needs. 

5)      Attend to your baby’s needs: Your baby will learn to trust you when they know they can count on you. Raising a secure and happy child means attending to their needs, like hunger and diaper changes. 

6)      Co-Sleeping: This has raised some controversy, but some experts recommend co-sleeping as a way to bond with your child. Co-sleeping is the method of your baby sleeping in the same room with you and your husband (although not in the same bed.) This is obviously something that you and your other half must discuss together.  Learn how to get enough nutrition as a new mom here.

7)      Eye-to-eye contact: Making eye-to-eye contact with your baby can provide an entirely different type of communication at close range. Smiling and looking into your baby’s eyes will give them a sense that everything is ok. 

8)      Don’t Forget Dad:It’s just as important for dad to bond with baby as it is for moms. Dad can do just about everything mom can do (except breastfeed, and even that can be done with the help of a pump.) A secure and happy family unit is one of the best gifts you can give your child, and when dad is fully involved, you have the makings of the perfect family. 

9)      Hold your Baby: There are those that think rocking and holding your baby will spoil them; nothing could be further from the truth. Holding your baby will help them feel secure. They will grow up to be well-adjusted, confident, and emphatic adults. 

Remember that bonding does not happen overnight. It is a process that can take months. Don’t try to be the perfect parent. You will make mistakes. Learn from them and move on. Make your child your number one priority and they will reward you by becoming productive members of society. Learn how to choose between breastfeeding or formula feeding your baby here now.

 

Why do Kittens do What They Do?

If you have a new kitten, you’re probably still getting used to all of the accessories that go along with cat ownership, like food bowls, cat treats, and of course the litter box (hopefully you have a supply of cat coupons on hand.) You’re also probably wondering why your kitten is doing all of the things she’s doing. Here’s a look at some kitten behavior and the reasons behind it. 

Why do Kittens claw so much?

Simply put, kittens claw so much because they do pretty much everything in excess! All of their waking hours are spent doing some sort of activity. They are very active and reactive. While it may seem that there is no rhyme or reason for the clawing, there is actually a purpose behind it. They mark their territory using a combination of visual marks left by their scratching (on the couch, the chair, and the drapes among other things.) The glands in their footpads have a scent that also helps them mark their territory. Some experts believe that clawing also helps kittens reduce frustration and stress. Kittens have special nerve cells around their nails that make them sensitive to pressure. This makes clawing a pleasurable experience for them, much to the chagrin of their owners. Clawing also helps kittens sharpen their nails and remove the outer dead nail. Scratching posts can help redirect your kitten away from your furniture and drapes; scent it with catnip and place it in a central area. 

Learn more more about cat behavior from an expert

Why do Kittens Knead?

Kneading behavior begins when kittens are nursing from their mother. They push against her belly, on either side of the nipple, alternating feet to encourage the let down of her milk.  Kittens retain this behavior into adulthood as a response to pleasure such as being stroked. It may not feel very good when your kitten is kneading on your tummy, but take it as a compliment. She trusts you and is content. If you want to save money on products by Tidy Cats you can use tidy cats coupons to start saving.

Why do Kittens Bite?

Kittens play with people as if they were other kittens. They chase, wrestle with and bite humans just as they do with one another. In some cases, a kitten may bite as an objection to the way she’s being handled and is doing her best to put an end to the human behavior. Bites don’t generally occur out of the blue; they happen when playing with your kitten or patting them for a prolonged period of time. Try to assess your kitten’s body language before interacting with her. If her tail is upright and she’s purring, then patting will be enjoyed by both parties. If however, her tail is twitching and she’s in an energized mood, it’s probably best not to touch her. As you and your kitten become more comfortable with each other, you’ll recognize the signs of what type of mood she’s in, and whether she wants to play or be left alone.