• Skip to content
  • Skip to navigation
Raising Children Network
  • Pregnancy
  • Newborns
  • Babies
  • Toddlers
  • Preschoolers
  • School age
  • Pre-teens
  • Teens
  • Grown-ups
  • Autism
  • Disability

Bonding through cuddling, contact and facial expression

Cuddle baby close to the left side of your chest so 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

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.

Chat 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’.

Singing, smiling and games: more 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 baby sees you smiling, baby feels good. This helps 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)

Download printable version

Supported By

  • Department of Social Services

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

Follow us on social media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Twitter
Join 60,000 subscribers who receive free parenting news. Sign up now
Aboriginal flag (c) WAM Clothing
Torres Strait Islands flag
At raisingchildren.net.au we acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we live, gather and work. We recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
  • Privacy statement
  • Terms of use

© 2006-2023 Raising Children Network (Australia) Limited. All rights reserved.

Warning: This website and the information it contains is not intended as a substitute for professional consultation with a qualified practitioner.

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation (HON) and complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information.