It's incredibly important to bond with the child. I firmly believe the reason my siblings and I have such a close relationship is because we bonded when they were infants. The two siblings where I wasn't around when they were babies - we have a much, much different relationship.

It's probably healthier because it is more sibling like. But I'm fully aware that being there for the first two, moments after they were born and being their primary caretaker for the first year of their lives has contributed to how we three all feel about one another. They know unquestioningly how much I love and care about them, while the other two are often cautious.

I cannot imagine a parent, far less one with a disabled child, not investing in the creation of that bond.