Waiting, watching and learning.

Congratulations you are going to be a mum or dad or maybe you’ve just had a baby. You are going to be amazing. That moment you hold your new little human being in your arms, will bring you joy, tears and happiness.

There will be challenges, there will be obstacles and once you’ve worked it out, it changes.

We may wonder what will our baby be like? What kind of personality will they have? Who will they be?

The first 1001 days in a babies life, is crucial in brain development. Babies are learning on how you respond to their cries, whether you respond lovingly or they’re ignored.

They are waiting, watching and learning.

When we interact with your little baby, watch their expressions, their movements and their reactions to you when you talk, smile or sing with them.
What do you see? What do you think they are trying to tell you?

We give our child an important head start when we respond to our babies emotional needs in a loving manner, we are setting them up for further success in life.

Here are some ideas on how you can meet your babies social-emotional needs:

• Reading picture story books to our baby from the beginning, we are providing opportunities for babies to connect, and understand language.
• Sing songs, lullabies, nursery rhymes or make your own songs up.
• Massages helps relax prior to sleep time but also allows the opportunity for the baby to connect with you.
• Skin-to-skin contact in the early days, helps increase bonding and is great for dads!
• Talk to your baby – don’t be afraid to have a conversation with them! And there is no need to talk high pitch, just your natural conversations about your day is all you need to do.
• Walks to the park, just being out in the fresh air is great for brain development. And great for you too.

Can you think of any other ideas you could try? Share them in the comments below

We also need to remember that we too have social-emotional needs as a new parent.

Here are some ideas on what you can do to fill your social-emotional needs:

• Asking for help, it might be that we ask a friend or your partner to watch your little one so you can have a shower or even take a nap.
• Go for walks, take your little one out. It’s amazing how fresh air can benefit our emotional needs.
• Connect with other mums/dads in things you enjoy doing – join a mums and bubs yoga group, kangatraining, new parents group, playgroups etc
• And when it gets too much don’t be afraid to seek help through your local Maternal Child Health Nurse or PANDA (1300 726 306)

It’s important to remember that we are not alone on this parenting journey. Connection with our baby, our family, our friends, our community are the key to supporting both our baby and our social-emotional development.

Let’s connect.