Breastfeeding is not only about just giving your child the nutrition he needs, but it also works as a bond between mother and child. Well, studies say breastfeeding is the perfect way to make a connection between the infant and the mother. For example, your baby will make a humming noise during breastfeeding alongside many other activities.
Compared to other senses, vision is considered to show some sort of sensitivity to trust and reliance. There is a saying that the eyes speak more than the mouth, and that is exactly why eye contact is necessary during breastfeeding. Babies usually start to make eye contact in their first six to eight weeks of age, and during that period, babies often try to make eye contact with the mother while breastfeeding.
Why Is Eye Contact Important During Breastfeeding?
When a baby makes eye contact with parents, they can get ensured that their child is recognizing them. The same goes for the mother while breastfeeding; it reassures that the mother has earned the baby’s trust. During breastfeeding, eye contact with her baby is the most magical moment a mother can ever dream of. It plays a crucial role in developing the emotional and intellectual aspects of a baby.
Eye contact is very necessary as it strengthens the bond between mother and infant. It creates a spiritual connection as well as deep emotion.
Breastfeeding Completes The Mother And Child Bond.
The first communication a mother makes with newborns is not by talking but rather by looking into each other’s eyes. This starts the initial interaction process. Breast milk is the only source of nutrition for an infant, and only a mother can provide this.
Whenever a mother breastfeeds a child that sedates his hunger, this action usually helps build a child’s trust in his mother. But this is not all; eye contact is the missing piece of the puzzle that helps make the understanding and connection deeper and more substantial.
What’s more, research has said that 90% of babies do not look at their mother’s face during breastfeeding, but they actually look into their mother’s eyes.
When Should A Baby Make Eye Contact During Breastfeeding
Every child starts to make eye contact at their own pace. Vision development is a gradual process. Generally, they acquire the ability to focus and perceive depth at the age of four months. Breastfeeding is an essential method that will allow your baby to focus on you. Newborns typically see about 1-2 feet away, which happens to be the distance to a mother’s eyes when breastfeeding.
If you ask me, a baby will start to make proper eye contact with the mother at the age of 5-6 months, more or less. Those long moments with your baby, looking into each other eyes during breastfeeding, are unforgettable. Around this time, your baby will also try to play with your clothes and hair.
Communication With The Mother
As time goes by and infants develop the ability to control their eyes better, the mother receives many gestures through eye movement, like when the baby is hungry or how the baby is feeling at the moment.
Eye contact plays a vital role during breastfeeding, this indicates if he or she wants to continue with the breastfeeding session or wants to rest. Though, eye contact during breastfeeding is very common and natural.
Does breastfeeding make you and your baby closer?
Of course it does. As studies show, breastfeeding works as the most powerful form of connection between the mother and the infant. The baby is more close to the mother than anyone else in the family due to physical closeness. Breastfed mothers are closer to their babies than bottle-fed mothers.
Should babies make eye contact while breastfeeding?
it is very important for your babies to make eye contact with you while breastfeeding. It helps to build a secure attachment. It is near enough for your baby to see your face when breastfeeding- he/she might even look into your eyes for a few moments. In the first few months, your baby will be breastfeeding very frequently, so you will experience these magical moments multiple times a day.
How long you should breastfeed your baby?
Well, frankly saying, that’s a mother’s personal choice. But, doctors advise mothers to breastfeed babies exclusively for the first 6 months without any formula, water, non-breast milk, or food. You can continue breastfeeding your child until 12 months or beyond if it’s working fine for you and your baby.
Wrap Up
Motherhood is the most beautiful experience a female can ever have. If you are a new mum, remember the exchange of sight is essential during a breastfeeding session. This creates the sacred bond between mother and child.
Although, it will take 6-8 weeks for your infant to make direct eye contact with you. Don’t rush, be patient. Good things come in late.
