Bonding with your unborn baby is important as she has emotional needs too.

Unborn babies have emotional needs too. They need to be loved and nurtured, acknowledged, and accepted. This is where prenatal bonding comes in.

The good news is it is simple!

Below are some examples of how to incorporate your unborn baby into your life!

1. Announce what you are doing as you go through your day. For example, say “Okay, let’s see what we’re making for lunch today. What would you like to eat? What are you in the mood for?” Such a simple thing, and yet the feelings of fun and partnership that it creates provide a huge value for your baby!

2. When you feel a kick (perhaps in response to some of your communication above), touch your tummy and say “Oh, you like that, huh?” or “I’m right here, sweetie. Yes, mama’s here.” It’s all about communication and acknowledgement.

3. When you feel the slightest butterfly feeling (as we do in the early, early months), touch your belly and talk to your baby. Let her know you felt it, and that you acknowledge her presence.

4. At night, when you are going to sleep, touch and rub your belly, and talk to your baby. Talk about what you did or how it felt to have her with you all day. Talk about having a wonderful night’s sleep, resting, growing, and feeling loved.

5. Play gentle, soothing music while you are going to sleep. If you play a special soft, relaxing music while you lay down to sleep every night with your baby, she will remember the music. It may not be a conscious memory where she can tell you why that music feels good to her, but she will gravitate towards it. And you can play the same music after birth. Your baby will love it; it is soothing as she gets used to her transition into this new world.

6. Play soft and loving music in the middle of your day as well, as a time to rest, relax, and connect. The key is how you feel while you are relaxing. The baby will pick up on your relaxation, peace, and love.

7. Sit and have some quiet time with your baby. Just sit in your favourite chair, feet up, rubbing your tummy, and talking about whatever is in your heart.

8. Play games! When your baby kicks, gently poke back. See if she will kick again in that same spot, kick in another spot, or wait until you become still, at which time she kicks again. Then talk about it, giggle, and continue playing.

9. Dad should take part too. When Dad says “Hi!” to mum, she can reach down and touch mum’s belly and also say “Hi!” to his baby too. Doing this on a regular basis will create an automatic response for the baby. Dads can talk to baby at night when it’s time to rest. The sound of Dad’s voice, the warmth between Mum and Dad, and the music will all create a wonderful feeling for your unborn baby.

10. Siblings can bond too. Encourage your older children to talk to their little baby brother or sister, and let them touch your tummy while doing so.

11. Sit down, close your eyes, and place both hands on your belly. Breathe in and breathe out. Think about your baby. Visualise your baby playing, sucking on her thumb, smiling, knowing she is loved. Just feel love, warmth and peace as you place your hands on your belly. Feel the love in your heart, and intend that it will fill your baby with love and peace. This will be a wonderful time for both of you!

12. Write letters to your baby! You can write about a doctor’s appointment, a sibling’s first day of school, how excited you are that the nursery is now painted, or just to say “hi”. Again, the key and the intention in this exercise is that your baby feels included, loved, and safe. Mum can actually feel this from the baby when she takes the time to connect and listen.

Since your baby feels everything you feel during pregnancy, this is an opportunity to set your baby up to expect a wonderful life.

And, no need to try for perfection, or beat yourself up for having a day off.

Just remember it’s about love, freedom, and recognising her presence. It is also about honesty. You cannot hide your feelings from your baby, especially when you have those negative feelings, so just acknowledge that they are there, let your baby know that it is your “stuff,” not hers, and give your baby permission to be a baby, enjoying life in the womb.