Bonding with your baby is itself a natural experience. Nothing could be more deeply ingrained in us than the instinct to love, protect, and spend time with our children. Bringing a love of nature into the mix will only improve and integrate the experiences you share with your baby at a deeper, more tender level.
Keeping Your Baby Close
Physical closeness is an ancient form of parent-child bonding. It lets you show your love and constant support without words or having to enter into more contrived gestures. Anything you do while you hold your baby becomes rich and rewarding – and a baby sling is the perfect way to let her feel your warmth – know she is close to you. It stimulates and soothes her, letting her see the world from the safety of her parents’ encircling presence – without actually requiring the use of your arms! Your proximity will comfort your baby and you too, since you both need that same reassurance that your little one is safe.
One new mother I knew would constantly check to make sure her daughter was sleeping. She found that when her child slept while she carried her in her baby sling, all the fears and anxiety of a young parent were washed away and replaced with an almost primal sense of love and serenity. Perhaps it was the feeling of the tiny heartbeat against her skin –
Develop Your Child’s Sense of Adventure and Openness
Carrying your child using a backpack carrier is also a great way to take your baby hiking and sightseeing. This makes sharing your love of nature with your baby so much more possible. You are free to go where no stroller can: across or through streams, up rocky mountain paths, and any off the beaten track you wish to trek. By doing something you love with your child, you are letting her experience the world and your appreciation of it. You are forging a more subtle – more organic baby parent bond that will hold firm and flourish as the years pass. And you feel all the more inspired, freer and more open through it.
Nature Is Your Child’s Playground
The world is an exciting new place for your child. They climb and jump and run and splash, but they also need a place to relax just like you. Downtime can be a wonderful time to bond with your baby. After strolling in the park or a hike through the woods, both of you can find natural serenity by simply bathing your feet in a bubbling brook – or sketching your dreams, hopes and promises on its surface. Your baby will sense the calm that settles in you and become serene and happy herself. She will love the peaceful surroundings, and she will come to cherish your quiet time together as deeply as the time you spend chasing her through the grass.
Showing Your Love Will Be Easier Than Ever
Keeping your child physically close to you is one ‘heaven of a great way’ to get to know your baby. Spending time in the quietude of nature, whether it’s in the Elven whispering of a forest, beside a chuckling mountain stream or the quacking duck-filled pond at a local park, strengthens the family bond you all share. You will naturally understand the body language and gurgles she uses to express herself. When she reaches for you and touches your skin, the gesture opens you at such deeper, unspoken levels. As humans, we communicate in so many different ways and few of them can be taught – many, only mothers will really ever know. The deepest and most meaningful forms of communication can be found in the loving touch of the parent and in the admiring gaze of the child.
This article is published in co-ordination with OrganicFamilyCircle, which encourages mothers and families to support our environment by choosing products such as organic cotton baby bedding for your baby bassinet or crib.
