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Bonding through cuddling, contact and facial expression

Cuddle your baby close to the left side of your chest so your baby can hear your heartbeat. This is good for bonding with newborns, because it helps them feel safe.

Skin-on-skin contact, like baby massage, can help your baby feel secure. Always use a soothing touch.

Look into your baby’s eyes and use facial expressions when you speak. This will help your baby learn the link between words and feelings.

Talking and reading: good for bonding

Talk with your baby throughout the day. Try naming toys and things around you. For example, ‘Look, these are your socks. They go on your feet’.

Babies like to hear a sing-song voice. Try this kind of voice when you’re talking to your baby.

Read books and tell stories with your baby from birth. Your baby will like hearing your voice during this special time.

Singing, smiling and games: bonding ideas

Singing is a fun way to develop your baby’s language skills. Your baby will love the rhythm and will be soothed by your voice.

Smile at your baby. When your baby sees you smiling, your baby feels good. This helps your baby’s brain grow.

Play simple games with your baby, like pat-a-cake or peekaboo. Playing with your baby also helps your baby’s learning and movement skills.

Languages other than English

  • Arabic (PDF: 879kb)
  • Chin Hakha (PDF: 462kb)
  • Dari (PDF: 496kb)
  • Dinka (PDF: 508kb)
  • Karen (PDF: 483kb)
  • Persian (PDF: 493kb)
  • Simplified Chinese (PDF: 489kb)
  • Swahili (PDF: 461kb)
  • Tamil (PDF: 483kb)
  • Vietnamese (PDF: 494kb)

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Raising Children Network is supported by the Australian Government. Member organisations are the Parenting Research Centre and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute with The Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health.

Member Organisations

  • Parenting Research Centre
  • The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne
  • Murdoch Children's Research Institute

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