How do I bond with my newborn while grieving the loss of a loved one or a previous pregnancy?

Grieving while caring for a newborn is an incredibly difficult dual experience. You may feel guilty for not being 'happy enough,' or grief may intensify with the baby's arrival as you wish the lost person could meet them. These feelings are normal. Allow yourself to grieve — suppressing it does not protect your baby. Newborns need responsive care, not constant joy. Enlist support so you can take breaks to process your emotions. If you lost a previous pregnancy, it is common to feel anxious rather than purely joyful with this baby. Talk about your feelings with your partner, a trusted friend, or a therapist experienced in perinatal grief. Consult your pediatrician or OB about screening for postpartum depression, which can overlap with and be exacerbated by grief.