Bonding with the bump!

[TheDetective]

I'm after some ideas how you bonded with your baby before it was born!

This is my 3rd baby, but this time I'm on my own because my husband is a cunt .

I'm now 25 weeks, and up until this week I've been struggling to accept I'm pregnant. Obviously I know I am, it's hard to explain!

Anyway, my plan of pregnancy yoga and aquanatal all went to pot when I ended up alone. They only run evening classes here, and that isn't an option.

Been reading books with the toddler about babies arriving. He talks to the bump and gives it a kiss.

Been singing to the bump and talking to it, much more recently. It likes twinkle twinkle .

I'd like to hear any other ideas! I'll be damned if my shit of a husband is going to take any more of the joy of this pregnancy away from me. It's my last baby. I'm going to bloody well enjoy it!

Thank you!

I'm having that same quandry - I'm 10 weeks (today yay) and just don't feel pregnant. I'm hoping when I start getting a bump fat it will change...

I have written my unborn baby a series of letters. Letting him/her know all about mummy and daddy, how much he/she is wanted, loved and the exciting times that lie ahead etc... I think I am on my 7th letter now. I have also taken a few photos of me and bump at various stages of the pregnancy and bought a baby's first year book which I have started to complete.

I still have times when I don't feel bonded to my baby but it's getting less as d-day approaches ( I'm 37 weeks) and I have some headspace to think about this little life that's been created and take some time to really feel him/her wiggling and kicking.

I found tummy massage with body butter a good bonding experience, I think we both enjoyed it.

Can I ask what books you're reading with your toddler about the new baby? Would love to try that here

Oh my goodness, you're all doing a lot more than me! I talk to it when it moves sometimes and I run my hands over it a lot. DH decided to play it some Black Sabbath the other week but not sure that's really bonding I was going to yoga but it wasn't convenient time wise so I've switched to aqua natal instead.

I chat to my bump when I'm driving in the car sometimes, about my day or nice things I'm looking forward to when he's born. Feel a bit silly sometimes but then I remember he can actually hear me (32 weeks) and probably enjoys the sound of my voice (not being egotistical but going by the research!).

I've also been playing certain songs in the car and singing along to them which he has seemed to recognise over time. A few months of this and he reliably starts kicking when the song gets going which helps me feel like there really is a little person in there.

See my bump is doing the opposite. I talk and move so much in work that it sleeps. When I'm on a day off, not moving so much and not talking much either, it starts moving for Britain! Ha ha ha

I'm not really sure on what I'm supposed to be doing and feel a bit silly talking to it.

Although OH has a wee chat with bump every night. (Sorry OP that wasn't helpful)

I also don't really have any ideas for you OP. Do you have a favourite book? Maybe read a wee bit of that each night to bump? Not necessarily a kids one mind. but maybe not a Stephen King one

I would always sing and talk to bump but also tap out a tune..
When he kicks id tapped where he just kicked and he would sometimes kick there again.
I used to shine a torch through the belly too, he used to wriggle too!

I'm 17+5 and still not feeling properly pregnant, just got the mother of all pot bellies! Haha!

I started a little pregnancy journal at Week 8, which I just update weekly with how things have gone, and I've taken a few photos of the bump too, but it still hasn't sunk in that there is a little person growing in there!

I am hoping once I feel the baby moving (I've had a few unexplainable feelings, but nothing I would say with certainty was baby!) it will feel much more real and I will start feeling brave enough to talk to the Peanut!

DH decided to play it some Black Sabbath the other week but not sure that's really bonding.

All I can think of to say to mine is, "You are a kicker baby. Yes, YOU." I'm 20+6 and feeling the kicking, have seen him (we know it's a boy) moving around on ultrasound. I guess it is good for him to get used to a mother who's not much of a conversationalist...

I did a pregnancy yoga dvd as I live in the sticks where pregnancy means a sharp intake of breath if you mention exercise

I really enjoyed that.

I also found out the sex, which really helped make it all more real to me. He also had a humorous nickname which also helped.