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Bonding with Your Adopted Baby
10 Post-adoption Tips
By Nancy Vondrak
Talking, cooing and singing not only increase the communication, but also help the child's language skills develop. The Melers found reading to be especially helpful in improving David's language skills. "When we adopted David, his language was delayed, and he wasn't really talking," Paul Meler says. "We started reading to him right away, and eventually his language caught up."
6. Become familiar with the child's foster caregiver.
If the child was in a foster home prior to adoption, find out all the information you can from that person about the baby's habits. Inquire about the baby's schedule, likes and dislikes. "Adoption agencies do little to prepare parents for adoption-related struggles," Dr. Keck says.
Anderson requires the foster parents she works with to keep a journal about the baby, which is later given to the parents. "Parents can also keep in touch with the foster parents and later use that person as a resource if they have questions about the baby," Anderson says.
7. Consider breastfeeding your baby.
Although it may be complicated to initiate, especially if you're not sure when the baby will be placed in your care, it can be done. Numerous studies have proven that both nutritional and bonding benefits abound for breastfed babies. "If a mother decides she wants to breastfeed, she should discuss this with a lactation consultant," Dr. Schneps says.
8. Surround your baby with familia objects.
