https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 11 May 2026 20:44:40 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-feel-bonded-to-your-lo#post-738110 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 19:09:38 +0000 twoofeverything 738110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I loved them instantly, but I'll be honest, the first twinges of a true "bond" only came when they smiled at me. This last week, (they are a few days shy of 5 months), I have started to really enjoy my time with them. Their little personalities are developing and they clearly seem to know/want ME from other people. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-feel-bonded-to-your-lo#post-738109 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 19:08:47 +0000 luckypenny 738109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Of course I loved her right away and I felt as though I'd do anything for her then too. However, looking back on this last year, right now is the best. She grabs my fave and pulls me in for kisses, comes to find me in the house and plays games with me. We have so much fun where as before she felt like "work" a lot of times. I feel like we know each other so well now...we're best friends!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-feel-bonded-to-your-lo#post-738088 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:57:17 +0000 birdofafeather 738088@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have to say right away. Even though its way more fun now that she's smiley and happy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-feel-bonded-to-your-lo#post-737761 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:22:43 +0000 LuLu Mom 737761@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would say after about 2 weeks, her first week was in the NICU and I didn't feel like her mother, I felt like the doctors and nurses did everything, but once we got home and settled and she would look at at me, I felt the motherly love everyone talks about. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-feel-bonded-to-your-lo#post-737755 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:20:55 +0000 lovehoneybee 737755@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lemondrop: This was pretty much us, but we turned the corner at 6 weeks. Before that I went from just trying to get through each day to really enjoying him. A smile seems like such a small thing but it's the first of a million smiles over a lifetime and was SO rewarding. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-feel-bonded-to-your-lo#post-737751 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:20:14 +0000 blackbird 737751@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think i'll have that "moment" when she recognizes me maybe? Because she'll do things like grab my fingers or smile and it just melts my heart, but I know they're involuntary. </p> <p>You guys explained what i was trying to say...it's weird to say you love someone but aren't bonded to them! And I still feel very protective of her....but I don't know who she is yet! It was so hard being away from her while she was in the hospital but my feelings are all over the place since we've been home! I imagine a lot of it has to do with how much work they are and how needy they are, and that it is a big mental shift! No matter how much you know it's coming! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-feel-bonded-to-your-lo#post-737734 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:15:45 +0000 loveisstrange 737734@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Somewhere between 3 and 6 months. I had a traumatic birth and bad PPD and it took me a while to fall into being a mother. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-feel-bonded-to-your-lo#post-737720 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:11:17 +0000 Mrs. Polish 737720@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel like I had the "you're my baby" moment around 3 weeks. Since we adopted I was very concerned about bonding, but it came much easier than I expected. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-feel-bonded-to-your-lo#post-737710 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:04:13 +0000 Mrs. Grizzly Bear 737710@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I won't lie. I loved both of my children instantly but I wasn't thrilled with DS (my eldest) until about 2.5 to 3 months. He was a good natured kid but it wasn't until I saw improvement other than growth (rolling over, cooing and smiling more, general interactions) that I began to truly enjoy him. I think I'm already to that point with DD at nearly 2 months but that's because I've been through this once before. I see signs of things to come and I'm more excited. :) You aren't alone, hon. Love may be instant but true bonds take time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-feel-bonded-to-your-lo#post-737704 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:02:21 +0000 littlebug 737704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I put 3 months, though it was probably closer to 10-11 weeks. That's when D started really responding to us - smiling at just us, and especially when I pick him up at daycare, he smiles when he sees me. That was when I was finally like, "Hey, you know me, and you like me, and that is pretty freakin awesome!" And now that I can make him laugh? Oh man... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-feel-bonded-to-your-lo#post-737650 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:38:18 +0000 bunnylove08 737650@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>around 6 weeks, when she finally got her latch down. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-feel-bonded-to-your-lo#post-737649 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:37:56 +0000 lemondrop 737649@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Closer to 8 weeks for me. I was instantly devoted and would do anything for him, but didn't feel really connected until he first smiled at us. I loved him immediately, but didn't *like* him until his personality developed, if that makes any sense.</p> <p>I was still crying and having a difficult time at 6 weeks, things were much better by 8 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-feel-bonded-to-your-lo#post-737632 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:31:52 +0000 autumnlove 737632@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It was around 3-4 weeks when the madness of breast feeding settled down. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-feel-bonded-to-your-lo#post-737620 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:24:20 +0000 Lozza 737620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel like 6-7 weeks was a low point for us- LO was fussier and BFing seemed to be a big struggle then. I think things were definitely better by 12 weeks, by then I was more used to dealing with him and he wasn't as tiny and floppy, but it wasn't till 6 months that I started to actually LIKE spending time with him and being sad about being away from him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-feel-bonded-to-your-lo#post-737618 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:23:07 +0000 yoursilverlining 737618@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It took about 6 months. Even though we've been physically "bonded" for 9 months; each LO has their own personality when they are born and we don't actually know them until they are born. We don't immediately totally know them like it seems in the movies and stuff; and lots of people don't fall in love with strangers immediately. It's no reflection on anything. It's a huge life change...really, everything changes. You'll get there!! :D </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-feel-bonded-to-your-lo#post-737615 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:21:33 +0000 hilsy85 737615@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>About 8 wks or so? I had a ton of difficulty in the beginning with breastfeeding and was constantly in discomfort/pain, plus my hormones were out of control...I knew I "loved" LO, but I didn't feel any deep sort of connection to him until around 8 wks. That's when he started smiling more often and actually seemed to know who I was, which made a huuuge difference to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-feel-bonded-to-your-lo#post-737612 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:19:11 +0000 Kemma 737612@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think Miss A was about six weeks old when I really started to "like" her - I distinctly remember sitting in our chair nursing one morning and thinking "you know I actually quite like you"!</p> <p>Hang in there Mama, it takes time and that's ok! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-feel-bonded-to-your-lo#post-737595 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:13:11 +0000 blackbird 737595@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Friends of mine have told me it took them about 6 months to really feel connected/bonded to their babies, and I know it can take time (especially because I'm not a touchy feely person in general). She's in the blobby stage right now, and I waffle between varying emotions, wondering when they'll sort of settle down. </p> <p>I'm looking forward to when she interacts with me and responds to me and develops a personality, but I don't want to wish away this short newborn phase, either! It's just a very one-sided relationship right now. </p> <p>I've added a poll if you don't want to answer! </p>