Most people talk about positive parenting in terms of gentle, respectful discipline, so you’re probably not thinking of that just yet. While that is a part of the philosophy, positive parenting begins on day one because it’s about the relationship you intentionally develop with your child.
Honestly, discipline will come easier when your baby becomes a toddler if you build a great relationship and learn the basics of positive parenting now.
Tip #1: Build Trust
Trust is the foundation upon which you will build your relationship. Your baby learns to trust you when you when you respond to her warmly and promptly and meet her needs for food, attention, clean diaper, etc. Letting babies cry damages trust and stresses their bodies. While some experts recommend allowing babies to cry it out or feeding your baby on a schedule, please follow your gut instinct on these issues.
Trust is also built in the loving, gentle interactions you provide every day. When you smile at her, stroke her head, sing, and hold her close, you’re making deposits into the trust account.
Read also : Awesome Parenting Tips To Help Your Child Get More Exercise
Tip #2: Learn to Communicate
Last week I wrote a piece on communicating with your baby. You can read that in full here, and I’ll summarize by saying this includes learning to read your baby’s cues, discerning between her cries, copying her sounds and gestures, showing interest when she communicates by looking at her, describing objects and activities, responding to non-verbal cues, mirroring sounds and facial expressions, teaching her sign language, singing and talking to her often, and reading to her.
Build the positive communication skills now that will be vital as your baby grows throughout the years.
Tip #3: Show Respect
He can’t yet walk or talk, but he’s a whole human being worthy of respect right from the start. We often treat babies as if they were playthings. We scoop them up without asking, wipe their faces without warning, and some even smack their hands when they pull hair or touch something they shouldn’t, and so on.
I really love Janet Lansbury’s approach to treating babies with respect. Please read her article No Way to Treat a Baby to understand why this is an important topic. Respect is key in positive parenting, and seeing your child as a whole person will help you build a healthy relationship and shows her how to respect you, others, and herself.
Tip #4: Take Tender Care of You
Babies require a lot of time and attention, and getting any time for you is tricky in that first year. The sleep deprivation makes it that much harder, I know. Try to make sure you’re getting enough sleep to function on. Sleep when the baby sleeps is good advice, but it may not be doable, especially if you have other children.
Brainstorm ideas with your family and try to get the rest you need. If you’re feeling socially isolated, join a local mom’s group. Don’t try to go motherhood alone. Treat yourself to a trip to the salon or a new outfit. Get a bit of exercise every day. How you feel matters!
Following these tips will help you build a secure attachment with your baby, and that secure attachment will benefit her for a lifetime!
(source :http://www.babymaternity.com/articles/view/getting-off-on-the-right-foot-positive-parenting-for-new-moms/)
