Support to help you and your new baby form a strong, secure bond.
What attachment and bonding are
Attachment is a baby's emotional connection to their parent. It's about building a relationship over time, so that they feel secure and loved and learn about the world around them.
A secure attachment helps your baby regulate their thoughts and feelings and builds self-esteem. It develops through the interactions your baby has with you, and relies on sensitive and responsive parenting. This means recognising your baby's behaviour, or cues, and responding to them in a timely and sensitive way.
Bonding is how you think and feel about your baby. This begins during pregnancy and continues after birth. Sometimes a bond takes time to develop. Not all parents feel an instant rush of love for their baby.
How your baby communicates
Every baby is different, but there are some similarities in how young babies communicate.
Behaviour is how your baby communicates with you before they learn to talk.
By spending time watching your baby you'll get to know what their different behaviours, or cues, mean. It's normal for it to take some time to understand your baby's cues. Don't worry if you don't get it right every time. When you respond to your baby's cues your baby feels safe and loved, which helps their brain to grow.
Sometimes a parent or carer may have difficulty forming this bond, such as if:
- they're having mental health issues
- they do not have a good support network
If you need support or have any questions, speak to your Health Visitor or local Children's Centre, or see the resources below.
Local services
Health visiting: information about health vising teams from the Community Children's Health Partnership. Health visitors are specialist nurses who can support you and your family during your child's early years.
Getting support with your family's emotional wellbeing: information about how health visitors can support with attachment and bonding, and other local services.
Primary Infant Mental Health Specialists at the Community Children's Health Partnership: contact a Primary Infant Mental Health Specialist (PIMHS) if you think you may need emotional wellbeing support. A professional needs to refer you to this service.
Rockabye: a group to support you and nourish your relationship with your baby, through sharing experiences with other parents, singing and sensory play. It runs for 10 to 12 weeks in Children's Centres across Bristol. It's for parents and pre-crawling babies. You can refer yourself or be referred by a professional.
Your local Children's Centre will be another important source of support.
There are 4 Children's Centre hubs in North, East, Central and South Bristol offering a range of services, including antenatal support and parenting programmes such as Five to Thrive.
Baby bounce and rhyme and storytime sessions: if you have a baby, you can join the baby bounce and rhyme sessions at your local library.
National resources
NHS Services and Support for new parents: guidance for new parents on NHS services that can give help and support.
Look Say Sing Play NSPCC: tips and activities that parents can easily incorporate into their everyday routine and boost their child's development.
Parent Talk: Support for Parents from Action For Children: help and guidance, in person and online. Answers to parenting questions in advice articles. Talk to a parenting coach about anything that's worrying you. It's all free, and no topic is too big, small, or embarrassing.
Home Start: a local community network of trained volunteers and expert support helping families.
Dads Matter: help for dads to have successful relationships with their families, and to support dads with anxiety, stress and mental health issues.