Love at first sight is the romance of childbirth but it doesn’t happen every time. For some parents, this takes place within the first few days — or even minutes — of birth. For others, it may take a little longer. With your feelings compounded by exhaustion, your relationship with your child may get off to a rocky start. Even if you don't feel a strong bond at first sight, your child will be fine as long as you take care of her basic needs and cuddle her regularly. Over time, as you get to know your child, and learn how to soothe her and enjoy her presence, your feelings will deepen. In the past, researchers who studied the process thought that it was crucial to spend a lot of time with your newborn during his first few days to seal the bond right away. But now we know that bonding can take place over time. Parents who are separated from their babies soon after delivery for medical reasons, or who adopt their children when they're several weeks or months old, can also develop enormously close, loving relationships. So perhaps the most important message you can teach your child in these early weeks is that you’ll be there for her when she needs you.