Bonding Before and After Birth: Supporting the Parent-Baby Relationship

27/02/2026 | written by Dr Aditi Sharma

It was Children’s Mental Health Awareness week 9-15th February 2026 and it has me reflecting on how supporting children’s mental health can begin as soon as pregnancy and during the early stages of parenthood.

When does bonding begin?

Bonding with your baby can start during pregnancy and lays the groundwork for emotional connection after birth. Research shows that parents who feel connected to their baby before birth are more likely to experience smoother bonding postpartum and respond sensitively, supporting a secure attachment relationship over time.

Bonding experiences during pregnancy vary widely. Some parents feel an early bond as soon as they see a positive pregnancy test, others feel it more strongly as the pregnancy progresses for example when they feel movements or hear the heartbeat and some notice it more after birth. What matters most is not when it happens but that there is support for the developing connection for the relationship to grow. By tuning into your baby and attending to your own mental health during pregnancy, you are creating a foundation of safety, responsiveness, and emotional security that will benefit your child for years to come.

It’s also important to recognise that bonding with your baby can feel difficult for some people, either during pregnancy or in the early weeks after birth. Past experiences, such as pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or birth trauma, can understandably make it harder to feel an immediate connection. Often, this is a natural way of protecting yourself from emotional pain, rather than a reflection of your love or capability as a parent.

Supporting your baby also means supporting you

A baby’s emotional world is closely linked to the wellbeing of their parents. When parents are supported, they are better able to respond with warmth, flexibility, and confidence.

Therapy during pregnancy or early parenthood can offer space to:

• Make sense of anxiety or low mood

• Process pregnancy or birth experiences

• Build emotional regulation skills

• Strengthen confidence in your parenting instincts

• Reduce self-criticism and pressure to “get it right”

Your baby doesn’t need a perfect parent. They need a parent who is supported enough to be present, responsive, and human. 

Thinking about reaching out?

If you are pregnant or in the early stages of parenthood and finding things emotionally demanding, you are not alone and support is available. If you are considering therapy and would like to explore whether support might be helpful at this stage, you are welcome to get in touch to arrange a free initial consultation.