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Irish Wedding News

08/06/2016

Third Of Mums 'Struggle To Bond With Baby'

A new survey has revealed that around a third (32%) of mothers in the UK struggle to bond with their baby.

The research, which was commissioned by parenting charity NCT, also found that more than one in 10 mums (12%) are embarrassed to discuss the issues with a health professional, GP or midwife.

The 'bonding' process refers to the emotional connection between a parent and baby and is known to influence the baby's response to stress, learning behaviours, and social skills.

Elizabeth Duff, Senior Policy Advisor, NCT, said: "The bond a baby has with its parents acts as a template that shapes the child's emotions and relationships later in life so it's a crucial process.

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"Parents who don't feel an instant connection with their new baby often experience strong feelings of guilt, shame and inadequacy. We hope our research reassures new parents that they are not alone if they don't instantly bond with their baby and that this can often take time."

She continued: "GPs, midwives and health visitors can also play an important role in promoting bonding and it is important that this subject is raised and parents are encouraged to speak up if there is a problem.

"The good news is that it is often easy for new parents to build or re-establish a relationship with their baby if they are experiencing difficulties bonding."

To help improve connection and communication between parents and their baby, mothers – and fathers – are encouraged to socialise with other parents, who may be going through similar problems, embrace physical closeness, or skin-to-skin contact of the baby, and interact regularly with their baby by talking, reading or singing to him or her.

The latest research continues the charity's ongoing '#BeyondBabyBlues' campaign which encourages people to talk openly about maternal mental health and to seek help. Factors including postnatal depression and anxiety can interfere with the bonding process between a mother and her baby.

(JP/LM)

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"A new survey has revealed that around a third (32%) of mothers in the UK struggle to bond with their baby."