Introduction
Though often underrated as opposed to the communication between a mother and an infant, the process of interacting with the unborn child is also essential for an expectant mother.
More importantly, the caregivers must monitor the process of communication, channel it the proper way and enhance it with the tools such as the enhancement of the mother’s engagement and motivation.
By creating a bond during the mother’s pregnancy, the mother and the child will be capable of developing their relationship in order to enhance the infant’s security, as well as promote early development of the baby.
Mother–Child Relationships
Early communication between the mother and the unborn child leads to creating a very strong emotional bond between the two. At this point, the significance of caregivers deserves to be mentioned.
Although it is natural for a pregnant woman to experience the need to communicate with her child, some women may need assistance of caregivers in order to carry out the communication process.
To be more exact, caregivers may give mothers pieces of advice regarding the methods of communication, including the ones involving conversations, tactile experiences, etc.
Early Development
Studies show that the mother’s attempts at communicating with the child, who is yet to be born, result in the infant developing on a much faster pace than the children, whose mothers did not develop a strong bond with them prior to their birth (Verny & Winetroub 2014).
Thus, considering the development of a bond between the mother and the child at the earliest stages is imperative for promoting early development.
Bonding through Talking
As paradoxical as it may sound, the process of bonding between a mother-to-be and her child, who has not yet been born, can be carried out mostly with the help of communication.
While modern technological advances allow for a plethora of options including the observation of the ultrasound pictures of the unborn child, the mere act of conversing with the latter verbally will contribute to creating a very strong bond between the mother and her child (O’Neill 2009).
Studies show that playing music for the child also contributes to the process of bonding.
Finally, the mother may engage in the process of daydreaming about the child and imagining the latter. The specified piece of advice, however, should be taken with a grain of salt, as the process of daydreaming may involve creating a very specific image of a child.
As a result, in case the newborn does not meet the requirements that are either willingly or unwillingly set by the mother, the latter may experience disappointment and, as a result, become disinterested in the child’s development.
Thus, the bonding process will require primarily the mother talking to the child and acknowledging the latter as a personality.
Although it would be wrong to demand that the mother should keep thinking about the unborn child unceasingly it is important that a pregnant woman should identify her baby to be born as an independent person with a unique character traits, needs and desires.
Conclusion
Promotion of bonding between the mother and the child at the earliest stages of the mother’s pregnancy is crucial to the successful development of the baby to be born and the enhancement of the bonding between the mother and the child, which, in its turn, will lead to the feeling of security in the latter.
Caregivers may enhance the bonding process by creating the environment, in which the mother will be able to bond with the unborn child actively.
Reference List
O’Neill, K 2009, Bond with your baby before birth: how to communicate with your unborn child, health communications, Inc., Deerfield Beach, FL.
Verny, T & Winetroub, P 2014, Nurturing the unborn child: a nine-month program for soothing, stimulating, and communicating with your baby, Open Road Media, New York, NY.