Maximize Love and Manage Stress with Your Baby
Create a routine: Most of your life can benefit from routine- from how you begin your day all the way to your sleep schedule. Try creating a list and prioritize important activities like feeding, rest, play, and time to decompress for not only your child- but yourself! Be realistic about what you can and cannot do. Don’t put the entire focus on just one-day event or day. Keep expectations manageable. Try to set realistic goals. Always remember that routines CAN and WILL change with time.
Respond: When your baby is cooing, make noises, or blabbering, respond to them! Nod your head, smile, and reply like you understand what they’re saying.
Be an emotional role model: Babies are well-equipped in reading our emotions right away. Try to lead by example. Respond calmly to good or bad situations, express kindness to others, and remain emotionally available to your child when they need you.
Show affection & comfort: Frequent cuddles, hugs, and kisses are a way your baby will begin to understand love. Babies also feel love when they’re basic needs (hunger, wet diaper, need to be held) are met. Don’t forget that it will not be perfect, you need time to figure each other out. Don’t be too hard on yourself.
Play: Games like peek-a-boo strengthen a bond between parent and child. As you play this and other games, your baby learns the ways that their world and culture work.
Activities Prepared by:
National Alliance on Mental Illness of Illinois
URL: https://namiillinois.org/
NAMI Illinois is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with mental illness and their families through support, education, and advocacy.
