Bonding with Your Baby
- Cara Liguori
- Apr 27
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 27
Does it ever feel like your baby is pushing you away or resisting your attempts to soothe them? Have you ever been surprised by feeling bored during early infancy, and pressured to find things to stimulate or entertain your little one?
What if connection doesn’t come from knowing everything or doing more…but from actually slowing down and getting to know the little human in front of you?
In my infant-child therapy group, we help parents step out of the pressure to perform perfect parenting—and invite you into a deeper, more attuned relationship with your baby and into the process of becoming the kind of parent that feels authentic and good to you.
Welcome to Parenthood
Early parenting can feel both deeply meaningful and incredibly vulnerable.
There can be pressure to know what to do, how to respond, how to get it “right.”
If you are a new parent, you might be:
Adjusting to life with a new baby
Wondering how to better understand your infant’s needs
Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or unsure
Curious about your babies’ developmental movement milestones
Wanting to strengthen your connection with your baby
Hoping to overcome generational parenting patterns
Looking for infant mental health support or parent-infant therapy in a relational setting
Looking for the support of a community of other new families.
If this sounds like you, joining an infant-parent therapy group may be the thing you didn't know you needed for postpartum support. Instead of second-guessing yourself all day, you can begin to feel more confident and connected. Your relationship with your baby can actually become something that helps you feel better.
My Approach: How it’s different from other models
I am a mental health counselor who is also certified in:
Infant Developmental Movement Education (IDME)
Perinatal Mental Health Counseling (PMH-C)
Somatic Movement Education (SME) through the School for Body-Mind Centering®
My somatic background allows me to bring attention not only to what is being said—but also to what is being felt, expressed, and communicated through your and your infant’s bodies. I focus on the relationship you have with your baby, through movement, touch, and handling. I’m able to pay extra special attention to translating what your baby might be experiencing, from their perspective, and what kind of responsive support they might need!
The Building Blocks of Bonding
More than just a Playgroup!
Frequently, “mommy and me” or “baby and me” groups are offered as playgroups or meet-ups for new parents and babies to socialize. These gatherings are wonderful social events, but they aren’t able to provide the kind of support you get in group therapy.
This isn’t a playgroup. It’s therapy meets relationship- and movement-education. It’s meant to support the early bonding process between you and your growing family through an attachment and movement development focus.
The Building Blocks of Bonding is a clinician-led infant-parent therapy group. My idea is to help you cultivate fresh eyes—mindful observation. To see who our babies are and what they’re up to. And to interrupt our conditioned ways of responding to them, and worrying about them. So you can be more present. So you can address any barriers to becoming the warm and supportive parent you hope to be. So you can treasure each special moment of baby and family development as it’s unfolding.
This group is for parents and caregivers who are looking for professional movement and relationship-based support in early parenting. In this space, you don’t have to have the answers and there is no single right way.
Instead, we focus on:
Being present
Staying curious
Finding safety and comfort
Understanding infant development (movement, sensory, cognitive, relational)
Holding space for emotions
Building connection over time
Because relationships are a learning process. Even the one between you and your baby. You don’t have to know everything right from the start. You become the family you’re meant to be. It’s something we can support and cultivate together.
How are Infant-Parent Group Therapy Sessions structured?
In each session, I actively hold a clinical lens while offering relationship-based treatment in a group setting where we can learn from one another. Find more information and a group description here.
The space will feel relaxed, responsive, calm, and grounded. You’ll join your babies on the ground, so dress comfortably!* Our lens will be Infant Developmental Movement Education (IDME) and attachment-based therapy. We will follow the rhythms, curiosity, and capacity of the babies and their caregivers (that’s you!) while holding a clear therapeutic frame for each family in attendance. Each week, we will start with updates on what’s going on with your babies’ development. This will lead us into processing, observation, play time, learning about effective handling and soothing interactions and growing together.
Our group will meet in the backyard at The Holding Space—a private, fully enclosed and welcoming setting that allows us to step outside the traditional therapy room. There will be a play mat and developmentally appropriate toys for babies to explore. You can bring a changing mat, and anything you need to be comfortable (e.g. blankets). Specially selected toys will be provided.
When you, as a parent or caregiver understand how to observe and respond to your babies’ early cues, this simple yet profound repetitive action will strengthen your bond with your baby. This is how healthy attachment is born. Together, in a supportive and educational group setting, we can set the foundation for ourselves and our babies’ to have meaningful, connected relationships throughout the lifespan.
About Cara Liguori
Cara is an Infant Developmental Movement Educator (an IDME!) who holds a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Prescott College and practices in New York State as a limited permit holder. For more about Cara:
This is your invitation to get involved. Join us!
If you’re looking for infant-parent therapy, attachment-based support, or a therapy group for parents and babies, The Building Blocks of Bonding offers a unique opportunity to engage in clinically grounded, relationship-based care.
Located in Bethpage, the group setting is centrally positioned within Nassau County and accessible from across Long Island and Queens for those with vehicles. Free parking is also available right across the street.
To learn more or to register, visit:
*If getting down on the floor is inaccessible for you and you’d like to join, contact Cara to discuss!
Are you a provider looking to expand your skillset?
