When you first receive your baby glider they are very scared - they don’t know you or your smell yet. They may make their ‘crabbing’ noise, jump away, cry, scratch, roll onto their back or even bite. This is all normal and the best thing to do is comfort the baby to let them know that you are there to take care of them and keep them safe and not to hurt or scare them. Your baby is only scared. Do not let the sounds or reactions scare you or stop you from holding or comforting your baby. If you don’t pick them up and continue holding them even when they cry then they will not bond and they will continue to cry and crab every time you go to get them. Hold him/her with a cupped hand - never fully opened, as they may jump away. You do not want to have to chase your baby around - it will scare them even more. Keep them tightly in your hand or in a bonding pouch every time you hold them for the first few weeks of bonding. It can be a slow process but slowly your baby will learn that you are not a predator and that being in your hand is safe and they will begin exploring you. This takes patience and time. The bonding process can be as little as 1 ½ weeks or take as long as 7-8 weeks. The more time and positive interaction your baby has with you during these first weeks, the better.
