Some new dad’s find it hard to bond completely with their little one especially if they are nursing. Baby’s eat frequently and mom is the only one who can provide that nourishment in the beginning but soon, she can pump and share this responsibility with you. There are many other ways for dad’s to connect […]
Bonding
Some new dad’s find it hard to bond completely with their little one especially if they are nursing. Baby’s eat frequently and mom is the only one who can provide that nourishment in the beginning but soon, she can pump and share this responsibility with you. There are many other ways for dad’s to connect with their little one’s right from the start. Dive right in and start connecting!
Studies show that “fathers who are at their baby’s birth, and hold their little one shortly afterwards, have very similar feelings of attachment to those experienced by mothers for the first few weeks” (Greenberg and Morris 1974; Peterson, Mehl and Liederman 1979; Parke and Sawin 1976).
Once your baby is born, help him bond by:
having skin to skin time right away and whenever he wants too
bathing the baby and bathing with the baby
burping the baby
bottle feeding the baby
taking part of the night shift (only wake mom up to feed or use a bottle)
not always handing baby back to mom to soothe as soon as he/she starts crying, take a walk with them, sing to them, go outside, hold them in a different position. Try Dr. Harvey Karp’s 5 S’s.
wearing the baby
getting on the floor for tummy time
taking the baby to the zoo or on a nature walk and teach them about animals and nature
cuddle together for nap time
trying some baby massage
being silly with them, talking in funny voices and making funny faces (many times they will attempt to mimic your faces)
playing an instrument for your baby, listening to music together, singing, dancing/swaying together to the music
giving eskimo and butterfly kisses
reading your favorite book, magazine or newspaper to the baby
running errands with the baby (give mom a break)
taking a sick/mental health day to play ALL day with mom and baby
learning your baby’s body language (hungry, tired, bored, needs a diaper change, etc.)
going to as many pediatric appointments and learning how your baby is growing and developing
BEING SUPPORTIVE OF THEIR MOMMY!!!
“A man is not complete until he has seen the baby he has made”-Sammy Davis Jr.
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