How to Bond With Your Baby Without Relying on Screens 

Parenting Perspective 

Babies Calm Best Through Human Presence 

It is understandable to rely on distractions when you are stretched thin, but the fact that you are reflecting on this shows your deep concern for your child’s long-term sense of security. Babies calm best through human presence, touch, and voice. These interactions do more than soothe; they build trust that you are a safe anchor. 

Weave in Moments of Real Comfort 

Rather than removing screens or distractions abruptly, you can begin by weaving in more moments of real comfort alongside them. For example, if your baby is watching something while you finish a task, pause for a brief touch, a smile, or a few words. These small gestures remind your child that your presence is consistent even in busyness. 

Create Manageable Rituals of Comfort 

You might also create manageable rituals of comfort that do not take much time. A short rhyme, a gentle pat, or carrying your baby in a sling while you move around the house can offer closeness without disrupting your responsibilities. The goal is not to be available every second, but to ensure that when you are present, the connection feels warm and genuine. 

Gradually Lessen the Reliance on Screens 

Gradually, as your baby begins to associate calmness with your voice, your touch, or your closeness, the reliance on screens will lessen naturally. This is a process that requires consistency, not perfection. You do not need to erase screens entirely, but you can reframe them as occasional tools rather than the primary comfort. 

Spiritual Insight 

Children Are Meant to Be a Source of Comfort 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Furqaan (25), Verse 74: 

‘And those people that say: “O our Sustainer, Grant to us (those circumstances that make) our spouses and our offspring, a comfort for our eyes; and make us from those that have attained piety, and a role model”.’  

This Verse reminds us that children are meant to be a source of comfort, and that a parent’s role is to cultivate that mutual sense of peace. The prayer itself shows that comfort is not only through material ease but through love, presence, and righteousness within the family bond. 

Mercy and Presence Are Acts of Worship 

The example of the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was to respond to children with compassion, even pausing important moments to hold or comfort them. It is recorded in Jami al-Tirmidhi, Book 27, Hadith 27, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘He is not one of us who does not show mercy to our young ones and respect to our elders.’  

This balance teaches us that mercy and presence are acts of worship, not interruptions to it. 

By gradually shifting from distractions to genuine, small moments of connection, you strengthen your baby’s attachment to you and lighten your own heart. This approach ensures that your child learns calmness through your presence, and you fulfil the dua of making your family a true comfort to your eyes.