Parenthood is a whole world to navigate, especially with a first baby. There's the advice you're given, and the advice you'll follow. There are the methods that work, and those you'll learn to avoid. And without a doubt, you'll hear about the importance of attachment and the surest way to create it: breastfeeding. But what if, for mothers who bottle-feed, for single fathers..., there were a thousand other ways to initiate it? Every day, every minute, discover, particularly through support services, how to naturally nurture the parent-child bond .
Summary
- The bond of attachment is not solely formed through breastfeeding.
- Nurturing the parent-child attachment bond in a different way
- Providing a reassuring environment: the role of parental support
- What if we simply experienced the connection?
The bond of attachment is not solely formed through breastfeeding.
The attachment bond represents the feeling of security that a baby develops towards the parent or adult who responds to their needs with regularity, kindness and love.
Breastfeeding: one form of attachment among others
Because it combines closeness, contact, smell, warmth, eye contact, and regularity, breastfeeding is an ideal time for creating the mother-child bond. But a bottle given with love , in a comfortable position for both, with pauses, time to spare, eye contact, whispers, and skin-to-skin contact… nourishes emotional security just as much.
The bond of attachment does not depend solely on breastfeeding. It also and always arises from presence, gestures, and rituals . It is not the act itself, but the intention that creates the bond.
Nurturing the parent-child attachment bond in a different way
The bond, love, doesn't depend on one gesture or another, but on existence itself. On a constant, reassuring, and gentle presence . It is its nature, more than its form, that shapes the emotional relationship in all its strength and depth.
Proximity and co-regulation: skin-to-skin contact, babywearing, and naps together
The bond is built first through contact. Skin-to-skin contact soothes, warms, and regulates your baby's breathing and rhythm. Babywearing extends this closeness throughout the day: rocking, scent, voice… Everything contributes to relaxation . And, when possible, a shared nap offers a magical moment conducive to bonding.
Daily pampering: bath and massage for two
From birth, bath time should be a moment of shared relaxation , care, and slow movements, for which it's important to find a suitable care routine for your baby . Finally, massage is a natural continuation, a gentle exchange at your fingertips. Shantala massage , circular movements on the tummy, or simple stroking allow you to truly reconnect with your baby.
Small routines, big confidence
Predictable rituals like a lullaby before naptime, a little reading before bed, a big hug upon waking in the morning… help your baby anticipate what's coming. Repetition creates a sense of security ; the same actions in the same order for a life of comfort. The bond is nurtured by this quiet consistency.
The silent language: glances, gestures and responses to signals
Before words, and all around them, there are the looks, the facial expressions, the laughter, and the postures instinctively adopted by the baby. Responding to their signals (of hunger, tiredness, their need to be held), taking breaks during care or meals , talking to them and naming what you see , using gentle gestures… these are all micro-responses that build trust.
On the road to discovery: walks and parent-baby yoga
A daily walk helps establish a routine. Another opportunity for interaction, this time outdoors, gives you the chance to listen, smell, and feel together. Baby yoga (or early motor skills development) encourages exploration. From two months old, first in your arms, then more independently, move and laugh together.
Songs, stories, lullabies, the bond through voice
Telling a story or about your day, singing a lullaby or your favorite song, whispering a nursery rhyme or a secret: your voice sets the rhythm of their day, soothes them and creates reference points.
Did you know that Élhée has developed a breast-shaped bottle designed to recreate the magic of breastfeeding? In your arms, nestled against your heart, with its soft medical-grade silicone bottle in your hands , you consciously feed your baby. A gentle touch, a 100% safe material, a rounded shape reminiscent of a mother's breast… Everything to strengthen the emotional bond.
Providing a reassuring environment: the role of parental support
Because the first few months with your baby are full of expectations, emotions and questions, being heard and supported often makes all the difference .
The Yada Houses, in Paris and Bordeaux , aim to be a true resource, warm and reassuring , for expectant and new parents, who can benefit from parenting support . In practice, Yada offers:
- Specialized individual consultations in perinatal care ( perinatal osteopathy , breastfeeding, sleep, psychomotor skills, etc.) to answer parents' questions and support them from the beginning of pregnancy until the child is 3 years old.
- A multitude of group workshops and parent/baby classes to share, learn and feel less alone: babywearing, baby massage, food diversification , first aid, signing with your baby … Something to always enrich the bond between parents and children.
- Sports classes adapted for pregnant and postpartum women ; yoga, pilates, mother/baby dance and Cardio & Sculpt, to be booked directly from the schedule available online .
- Maternity care , rebozo, pre- and postnatal massages, baby thalassotherapy bath…
All this takes place in a safe and nurturing environment, designed to welcome families in comfort and with care. And as families often say: " At Yada, we don't start by telling you what you should do, we help you listen to and understand what you're feeling. "
What if we simply experienced the connection?
Parental support, whether experienced in a resource center like Yada houses or alongside loved ones, reminds us of one essential thing: the parent-child bond is not a performance. It is not to be compared or measured. It is lived, in reality, in the moment.
Each parent, each baby, each pair writes their own unique story , composed of gestures, glances, and silences. Far from comparisons and idealized models, the important thing is to allow yourself to invent your own path. Attachment is woven from this freedom.
FAQ – Bonding with your baby in ways other than breastfeeding
How can I bond with my baby if I can't breastfeed?
The mother-child bond is built primarily through presence and everyday gestures: carrying, skin-to-skin contact, shared baths, eye contact, and words. Breastfeeding is not the only condition for developing attachment.
Does bottle-feeding create a bond with my child?
Yes, just as much as breastfeeding. A bottle given calmly, in a comfortable position, with eye contact, touch, and caresses, nourishes the bond in the same way.
What if I don't feel an immediate connection with my baby?
Sometimes the bond isn't instantaneous. That doesn't make you a bad parent. The bond can be built gradually, through gestures, glances, and shared routines. Trust yourself, and don't hesitate to ask for help if you feel you need it.
What gestures strengthen the parent-child bond?
Skin-to-skin contact, babywearing, massages, daily walks, shared songs and stories, bedtime and wake-up routines – all these gestures contribute to nurturing attachment.
