being closer to my baby

[jadelouis97]

Hi I'm 23 weeks pregnant and I have been starting to feel my baby kick recently but I want to know how I can become closer to my baby before it is here, I'm a first mum so any advice regarding this would be great, thank you

Do you talk to your baby? Without meaning to I started chatting quietly when I was on my own at home, telling it (didn’t know what we were having) what I was making for dinner, what the weather was like, saying how I was looking forward to meeting it. At around that stage they can hear you and others close to you so my husband would say morning to the bump and give it a stroke, that sort of thing.

It’s such a lovely time, congratulations

Have you got any reason to be worried you won't bond with the baby? You don't really need to do anything to "be closer" before the birth.

Some people like talking to the bump but it's not obligatory. I never did - the baby will hear your voice every time you speak anyway and doesn't know whether you are speaking to it or someone else. You will be plenty close to your baby, and have plenty of time for bonding, when it arrives.

Don't stress about it OP - over time you'll naturally feel a bond towards your baby, there isn't anything you need to do.

Just to add though that it's also completely normal for it to take time to form a bond with your baby and that may not come until after the birth. Despite what you may read/hear from others not everyone gets that all consuming instant rush and that's fine too.

Great comments from those above. I remember being told that I should talk / sing etc to my bump, and always felt quite silly when I tried doing it, so stopped! But over time little things naturally made me feel a bit of a connection - having a little sing in the car, stroking bump when he kicked at a yoga class, noticing how he perked up after I ate certain things. This was plenty for me, and I have had no problem bonding with him since he has been born!

I didn't feel particularly 'bonded' to DD during pregnancy and certainly didn't sing to bump. Protective maybe, but that was it. Had no problem bonding after birth. Don't feel like you need to feel a certain way.