Congratulations on your new arrival! Aside from looking after yourself which is of course of vital importance, it is now your job for the next 20 years to make this little person who has arrived in your life as happy and well-balanced a person as you can. A strong bond with your baby will lay the foundation for a strong relationship in the future, so you and your baby both need to be content. To help your baby achieve this, help him to feel secure, confident, included and wanted. Listen to his cues and pay attention to his needs. Begin to communicate with him from the outset, and you will see amazing results!
Your new baby's senses are already developed:
Sight - At birth your baby will open his eyes and gaze at you. They love human faces, especially eyes, and they're attracted to bright, bold colours and sudden movement. We have a lovely selection of toys for you to chose from once you feel your baby is ready for some more stimulation.
Smell - Your baby has a good sense of smell which helps him find the nipple and begin to feed. You might want to consider avoiding strong smelling perfumes and lotions in the first few weeks in order to allow your baby get used to your natural smell. If you sleep with the Bowron Lambskin and/or Cuski Comforter they can both be used to calm and reassure your baby in your absence.
Taste - Babies are aware of different tastes. Breastmilk takes on subtle flavours, depending on your diet. So make sure you eat a varied diet which will allow your baby to get used to a multitude of tastes!
Touch - Hold your baby so you're skin-to-skin. He'll feel your warmth and learn the difference between and female chest and a male one. Our section on baby carriers offers more information on baby wearing, but we do know that babies that are carried more are more confident, cry less and sleep better.
Hearing - Shake a rattle and he should turn his head to acknowledge it. Babies prefer gentle voices, so speak softly using a slightly higher pitch than usual.
Movement - Your baby can make deliberate movements with his whole body, including hands, feet and head.
Express Yourself Mums has carelfully selected a lovely selection of products that will help you enjoy your baby's development, sleep, bath and eating time.