<h1>Getting to know your baby during pregnancy</h1>
<img src="https://admin.mumandbaby.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/1.3.4.jpg" alt="Pregnant woman smiling and holding a pair of baby shoes" width="650" height="406" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1086" />

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Taking time as part of your daily routine to think about and bond with your unborn baby is known to release oxytocin, a hormone which can help your baby’s brain to develop.</span>

<span>Babies need adults to nurture and support their development during pregnancy and their speech, language and communication beyond birth. There is lots of helpful information to support you with chatting to your bump during pregnancy and talking, singing, playing and reading with your baby after birth.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">You can try:</span>
<ul>
 	<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">talking, singing, playing and looking at books with your baby, and encouraging your partner/family/other children to do the same</span></li>
 	<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">gently massaging your bump</span></li>
 	<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">having a bath</span></li>
 	<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">trying pregnancy yoga</span></li>
 	<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">practising hypnobirthing</span></li>
 	<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">playing music to your baby</span></li>
 	<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">writing a letter to your baby</span></li>
 	<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">using an app to help you understand how your baby is growing and developing, such as the Baby Buddy App.</span></li>
</ul>
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Building a relationship with your baby

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<div data-cat="relatedlinks" class="relatedlinks">

<a href="https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/relationship-building-resources/building-a-happy-baby/">UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiate, Building a happy baby leaflet</a>

<a href="https://www.bestbeginnings.org.uk/baby-buddy">Baby buddy app</a>

<a href="https://hungrylittleminds.campaign.gov.uk/#0">Talking to your baby (Hungry Little Minds)</a>

<a href="https://ican.org.uk/i-cans-talking-point/parents/">I CAN's Talking Point for parents</a>
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