| Many families are concerned about bonding and | | | | dependable care and regular routines will help your |
| attachment with their baby after adoption. If you are | | | | child to feel more comfortable, recognize what to |
| concerned, you are not alone. However, observation | | | | expect, and what is expected of him as well. |
| and research shows that adoptive families can form | | | | For many adopted infants, bonding tends to occur |
| bonds as successfully as biological families. For some | | | | rather quickly, as they generally accept and attach to |
| families infant massage plays an important role in | | | | new parents. Parents also tend to quickly bond with |
| encouraging their bond. | | | | their new child through the process of providing the |
| Copyright (c) 2007 Liddle Kidz (TM) Infant and | | | | regular care he or she needs, through playing and |
| Children's Pediatric Massage | | | | communicating together with their child, and by |
| Many families are concerned about bonding and | | | | showing attention and affection. |
| attachment with their baby after adoption. If you are | | | | After adoption, bonding is a parent initiated learning |
| concerned, you are not alone. However, observation | | | | experience. No matter the child's age, parents who |
| and research shows that adoptive families can form | | | | are proactive in developing a bond with their child |
| bonds as successfully as biological families. The period | | | | create an ongoing respectful and positive relationship. |
| from birth through three years of age is the most | | | | Adoptive parents need a variety of techniques to |
| favorable time for children to form a bond with their | | | | facilitate the bonding experience. Responding to the |
| families. However, adoptive parents have no need for | | | | child's needs in a compassionate, loving and sensitive |
| undue concern as we also know developing a bond | | | | way encourages trust and recognition that the child is |
| with an adopted child is not unlike the process of | | | | worthy of unconditional love. Responding to the child's |
| building one with a biological child, it develops over | | | | needs in a loving way leads to an increased sense of |
| time. | | | | trust, security and a reduction in anxiety. |
| One of the very first issues a new adoptive family | | | | For some families infant massage plays an important |
| faces is how well it will come together to become a | | | | role in encouraging their bond. Maintaining eye contact |
| loving family. It is vital that all family members bond | | | | and loving touch promote a sense of being cared for |
| with each other and recognize one another as | | | | and accepted. Through the use of infant massage |
| valuable members of their family. Together they | | | | parents learn to become more attuned to their |
| should work to develop caring, committed | | | | baby's unique and individual forms of communication. |
| relationships. | | | | It can help parents to understand their baby's cues |
| It is best not to force the bond with your baby, | | | | and respond more appropriately. And of course |
| especially for adoptive parents concerned about the | | | | having skin to skin contact through the use of loving |
| bonding process. Rather, take your time and do your | | | | touch, can help the family's bond to strengthen and |
| best to adopt a positive and patient understanding | | | | grow! |
| that bonding will occur over time. Introducing | | | | |