Why bonding after birth is so important

The birth of a child is a unique moment - full of emotion, excitement and love. During this very special time, bonding - the first intensive connection between parents and baby - plays a central role. But what exactly does bonding mean? Why is it so important? And what does science say about it?

What is bonding?

Bonding describes the emotional bond that develops between parents and their newborn immediately after birth. It is an instinctive process in which both sides engage with each other. Skin contact, voice and smell play a decisive role in this process.

Bonding usually begins during pregnancy, with the actual bonding taking place after birth: The baby is laid naked or lightly covered - on the mother's chest (known as the kangaroo method). This first “getting to know each other” not only strengthens the emotional bond, but also has numerous health benefits.

How can I support bonding?

There are many ways to promote bonding. You can already feel and intensify the bond with your child during pregnancy by stroking the belly and talking to the baby. You can also find out about hospitals that support bonding, for example by allowing enough time for physical contact after the birth, providing beds for the baby next to your bed and encouraging breastfeeding. Let the baby lie on your breast as often as possible and with as much skin contact as possible.

Notice: Do not use perfumed cosmetics so that the baby can smell you. You should also pay attention to the ingredients, as the newborn can inhale the vapors and absorb them with its mouth when lying on your breast. For this reason, we have developed the Bonding Balm, which also moisturizes the skin of the breast and promotes elasticity in order to prevent stretch marks during the milk letdown.

Why is bonding so important? What does the research say?

1. security and basic trust

A newborn baby recognizes its mother's voice, smell and heartbeat. Skin-to-skin contact and closeness make it feel secure. Studies show that children who have intensive contact with their caregivers in the first few hours of life develop a sense of security and trust more quickly (Bystrova et al., 2009).

🧠 According to a study by the University of Miami (Field, 2010), early physical contact not only improves the child's emotional well-being, but also its neurological development.

2. make breastfeeding easier

Early bonding has been proven to support the start of breastfeeding. Skin contact directly after birth increases the release of oxytocin - the so-called “cuddle hormone”, which is crucial for milk flow, bonding and well-being.

🍼 A Cochrane analysis (Moore et al., 2016) concluded that skin-to-skin contact increases the likelihood that mothers will breastfeed - more often, for longer and more exclusively.

3. less stress, better development

Babies who experience close contact with their parents have been shown to cry less, sleep better and show fewer stress reactions.

😴 A study by the WHO (World Health Organization, 2003) showed that “kangaroo care” reduces mortality in premature babies, improves weight gain and strengthens the mother-child bond.

Parents' stress levels also fall: the release of oxytocin ensures emotional stability and strengthens parental intuition (Uvnäs-Moberg, 2005).

4. stronger parent-child relationship - also with the father

Bonding is not just a mother-child issue. Fathers and other caregivers also play a crucial role. Early contact also promotes bonding with them and reduces the risk of postpartum depression.

👨 A study by Ramchandani et al (2008) shows that fathers who establish a close bond with their child at an early age make a positive long-term contribution to cognitive and emotional development.

What if bonding is not possible immediately?

The birth does not always go as planned - sometimes medical support is needed, the baby comes too early or has to be admitted to the intensive care unit. In such cases, bonding is not lost. The emotional connection can also be built up and intensified later: through skin-to-skin contact, sleeping together, carrying in a sling, lots of eye contact and affectionate speech.

💬 The German Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine (DGKJ) emphasizes that bonding is a process - not limited to the first hour, but can be shaped over weeks and months.

Conclusion: Love grows - bonding helps

Bonding is much more than just a nice moment after the birth. It is the basis for trust, emotional closeness and healthy development - both for the child and for the parents. Studies clearly show that closeness has a healing effect. It connects, reassures, strengthens - and creates a lifelong foundation for a secure relationship.

This is why bonding should not only be allowed, but consciously encouraged - in clinics, in the postpartum period and in everyday life. Because the first touches are often the most important.

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Sources:

Bystrova, K. et al. (2009). Early skin-to-skin contact and its effects on mother–infant interaction.

Field, T. (2010). Touch for socioemotional and physical well-being.

Moore, E. R., Anderson, G. C., Bergman, N., & Dowswell, T. (2016). Early skin-to-skin contact for mothers and their healthy newborn infants. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

WHO. (2003). Kangaroo Mother Care: A Practical Guide.

Uvnäs-Moberg, K. (2005). The Oxytocin Factor.

Ramchandani, P. et al. (2008). Paternal depression in the postnatal period and child development.