Family Bonding
The Family Bonding portion of The BirthBox™ Toolkit was created to supplement Childbirth Education classes and care administered by a local birth expert. The following educational tools discuss various bonding strategies, ranging from feeding techniques to babywearing, which all contribute to the bond formed between the baby and other members of the family. This bond is essential in creating a welcoming, inspired future for children as they grow and develop, and these handouts are FREE to download and reproduced with permissions. Please see the attributions of the copyright holder at the bottom of each page and please do not remove any attribution information from the handouts. If you encounter any difficulties accessing or downloading any of the PDFs please contact us.
Bonding With Your Baby
Attachment is a deep, lasting bond that develops between a caregiver and a child in the baby’s first few days and years of life. Family bonding is an experience that extends past just mother and baby, and can include siblings, grandparents, and extended community support. The following handout describes daily activities that can be performed by any caregiver to progress bonding with a new baby.
Women's Breastfeeding Guide
Breastfeeding is a natural and healthy way for a baby to receive nutrition and an excellent way for a mother and baby to bond. Though natural, successful breastfeeding is a skill that must be developed by both participants. This handout (in both English and Arabic) is designed to educate and support new mothers as they begin the journey of breastfeeding, and cultivate a multitude of health and bonding benefits.
Breastfeeding in Emergencies
Breast milk, when available, is the best source of nutrition for a young baby, but the responsibility of feeding of a child does not have to be carried by the mother alone. Through the hand expressing, cup feeding, and breastmilk safe-handling instructions found in this handout, a mother can feel able to share the activity of feeding with other family members, and fellow caregivers can be equipped with the vital time needed to bond with baby. The handout is available in English, Arabic, French, and Swahili.
Babywearing 101
Babywearing is a wonderful opportunity for family bonding. Wearing a baby allows a caregiver to keep an infant near while they perform their regular daily duties, either at home or in the community. Fathers, older siblings and extended family members can all safely wear and bond with baby while giving the mother much needed time to rest and recover lowering her risk of postpartum depression. Read more to learn more about safe positioning and health benefits of babywearing for both the baby and caregiver.