[:en][vc_row][vc_column width="5/12"][vc_column_text]<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3552" src="http://tollyjoy.com.sg/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/lets-bond-1.png" alt="lets-bond-1" width="292" height="317" />[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width="7/12"][vc_column_text]As a new parent, you have probably heard a thousand times over that your life will never be the same again. And it's true. There are many adjustments to be made – from baby-proofing the house to the number of times you will need to wake at night to feed, change and put baby back to sleep. But did you know that as you cradle baby in your arms to rock her back to sleep, or speak to baby as you change her diapers in the wee hours of the morning, you are actually strengthening your relationship with baby?

<strong>The touch of love</strong>
According to the neuroscientist Marian Diamond, loving gestures such as touch actually contributes to baby's brain growth , producing far-reaching effects on her physical, mental and emotional development. In other words, when you cuddle, hug, stroke or have any form of skin-to-skin contact with baby, you are in fact helping her to grow.

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As such, you don't always have to wait for playtime to bond with baby. You can transform feeding and grooming times into bonding sessions as well!

<strong>Bonding: extended</strong>
After bottle or breastfeeding baby (and after burping her, of course) spend a little more quality time with her by laying baby against your chest and speaking gently to her. Not only does this soothe baby, it also allows her to know your voice and smell that she will look forward to having you near her every time.

Besides that, swaddling is also a great way to reassure baby that she is safe and well cared for. As you wrap her snugly, try singing to her. Baby may just respond enthusiastically to it, and delight you with a smile or a cute little laugh.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="5/12" el_class="rightside"][vc_column_text]<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3551" src="http://tollyjoy.com.sg/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/lets-bond-2.png" alt="lets-bond-2" width="260" height="267" />[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width="7/12" el_class="leftside"][vc_column_text]Get daddy in on the action as well by having him in charge of grooming, reading and/or nap time. Try to make these exclusively dad-and-baby activities. They will certainly enjoy their time together as baby learns to differentiate between the loving sounds and touch of the two most important people in her life.

<strong>Maintaining a positive environment</strong>
However you choose to interact with baby, it is essential that you continuously maintain a relaxed and positive atmosphere. Baby can easily pick up on emotional cues and tell when you are stressed . Therefore, avoid passing on your anxiety by maintaining a positive disposition whenever you are interacting with baby.

The key is not to sweat the small stuff, and to focus on the larger picture. Yes, it can be hard to do at times, but try your best and know that you are doing it for baby's healthy development.

That's certainly worth the effort![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][:zh][vc_row][vc_column width="5/12"][vc_column_text]<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3552" src="http://tollyjoy.com.sg/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/lets-bond-1.png" alt="lets-bond-1" width="292" height="317" /></p>
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width="7/12"][vc_column_text]作为新手父母，您也许已经无数次听说过您的人生将从此改变。而事实的确如此。孩子的到来意味着您将需要做出多方面的调整——从变更房屋布局以适合宝宝居住，到无数次半夜起床喂奶、换尿布、重新哄宝宝入睡等。但是您知道吗：当您抱起宝宝，摇晃着哄他/她重新入睡，或者在凌晨时分一边给宝宝换尿布一边跟他/她说话时，实际上您正在加强您和宝宝的亲子关系。

<strong>爱抚</strong>

神经学家马里恩·戴蒙德（Marian Diamond）指出，触摸等表达爱意的动作实际上有利于宝宝的脑部发育，对宝宝的身体、心智和情感的发展具有深远的影响。换句话说，当您拥抱、轻抚或者与宝宝进行任何形式的肌肤接触时，实际上您正在帮助他/她成长。

因此，您无需总是要等到玩耍时间才来增进亲子关系。喂哺和梳洗时间也能转化为亲子时间！

<strong>亲子关系：拓展</strong>

在喂哺后（以及让宝宝打嗝后），不妨多花一点时间将宝宝搂在怀里并对他/她轻言细语。这样不仅能够舒缓宝宝的情绪，也能让宝宝熟悉您的声音和气味，令他/她期待每一次您与他/她亲近的时光。

除此之外，用襁褓包住宝宝也是让宝宝倍感安全和关爱的绝佳方式。当您将宝宝温暖地包裹起来并试着对他/她唱歌的时候，宝宝可能会做出积极的回应，像是露出微笑或发出可爱的笑声，让您开心不已。[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="5/12" el_class="rightside"][vc_column_text]<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3551" src="http://tollyjoy.com.sg/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/lets-bond-2.png" alt="lets-bond-2" width="260" height="267" /></p>
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width="7/12" el_class="leftside"][vc_column_text]您也可以让爸爸参与其中，负责帮宝宝梳洗、给宝宝读故事和/或哄宝宝午睡。试着让这些成为爸爸和宝宝的专属活动。他们不仅一定会享受在一起的时间，而且宝宝还会在过程中学习分辨来自他/她人生中最重要的两个人的声音与爱抚。

<strong>营造积极的氛围</strong>

无论您选择以何种方式与宝宝互动，持续营造轻松而积极的氛围都至关重要。宝宝可以很容易地察觉您的情绪，知道您是否承受压力。因此，您在和宝宝互动的任何时间里，都应保持积极的心态，从而避免将您的焦虑情绪传递给宝宝。

这期间的关键在于，不要为小事烦恼而应从大处着眼。是的，要做到这一点有时候并不容易，但是只要尽您所能，明白您现在所做的都是为了宝宝的健康发展着想，那您就能做到。

一切的努力绝对都是值得的！[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][:]