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Bonding From the Beginning

Use Baby's Senses to Create That Special Connection

By Kelly Burgess

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Be careful not to overwhelm your baby. Watch for clues that he or she is done with sensory stimulation. Cues include breaking eye contact, eye rubbing, frowning, yawning or even a slight change of mood. Babies can't handle sensory stimulation for more than a few minutes when they're very young.

Not Peas in a Pod
Ricki Wieselthier of Orlando, Fla., knows each baby is different. Her triplets, Zachary, Lindsey and Hannah, have always had distinct personalities. She says she noticed it even during the first few weeks of their lives when they were still in the neonatal intensive care unit. "Zachary is still a charmer, Lindsey is still very independent and Hannah is still such a sweet, quiet child," she says.

Believe it or not, this tiny, helpless, seemingly clueless little person will give you many clues as to what he likes and dislikes. Most babies love to be swaddled, but if yours keeps kicking off the swaddling, give it up.

The same rules apply to playing. Some babies are naturally more social than others, and some are more quiet and self-contained. It's important to put aside any preconceived notions you may have and allow your baby's personality to grow in its own way.

"Newborns seem so similar that it's easy to assume you already know them," says Harris. "Be open to the fact that you don't know each other, and whether this is your first child or your sixth, this child is very different from any other."


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