Daddy Bonding

You're a dad now! It's exciting and intimidating! The world focuses on the mother-baby bond, forgetting that dads today are more sensitive, more loving and more caring than the fathers of the previous generations. Though in our country, the traditions are such that limit the dads early interaction with the babies, however things are changing and changing fast. This revolutionary change can be accelerated if dads could be helped and guided on their journey as a father. Here I try to help my readers do just that.

Pittsburgh pediatrician Mark Diamond says,

"Other than the physical act of nursing, dads can do everything else: holding the baby, cuddling, soothing."

Start Early

Regularly singing or reading books to your partner's baby bump may seem strange. But doing so establishes a strong connection before the baby is even born. Later on, your newborn baby may recognize the tone and pattern of each of your voices.

You can also strengthen your connection to your baby simply by being there for your partner. Going to the doctor’s appointments, ultrasound visits and helping the mommy to be with her pills all go a long way in establishing a healthy bond with the baby and the mommy. Yeah! Bonding with the mommy at this stage is important because mothers who feel more supported by fathers during pregnancy tend to involve the fathers more with child-rearing later on. And more involved means more likely to bond.

It will be a good idea to start learning some basic things about raising a newborn. Like changing diapers, cleaning, giving baths and using a bottle for feeding.

Worry Less

Don't assume that the mother will naturally have a stronger connection with the baby than you will. Rest assured that as long as you spend time with your baby, a bond will develop between the two of you. The bond may not seem apparent during the first few days when the mother-baby bond may already be thriving -- but it will be there.

"It's not a competition," Caroline DiBattisto, assistant professor of pediatrics at Georgia Health Sciences University, says. "Parents should support each other and work together as a team. It's important for dads to relax, be themselves, help Mom out, spend time with the baby, and enjoy this special time."

Pitching in will give you confidence as a new parent.

"I think a lot of dads feel nervous that babies are fragile and they're somehow going to do something wrong. But I promise they won't," Borman-Shoap says. "Don't worry about being perfect. The worst thing that happens if you change a diaper wrong is someone gets poop or pee on them. You wash it off, try again, and laugh about it. You need to get right in there and try it."

Get in Touch

During the first days and weeks of your baby's life, the power of touch can bring you closer. Hold your baby whenever possible. Gently stroke her back. Rock her in your strong arms. Bonding has as much to do with contact as involvement. If you're in contact with your baby, the bond will occur.

A new trend in our country is kangaroo care: placing your baby, wearing only a diaper, against your bare chest. Lying skin to skin with your baby is great for moms and dads to do. Babies are comforted by the up-and-down movement of your chest when you're breathing. They hear your heartbeat, and it helps them keep their body temperature regulated.

Wear Many Hats

If your partner is breastfeeding the baby, you obviously can't pinch hit there. But you can nourish your baby in other ways.

"Feeding is an important part of taking care of a baby, but it's not the only thing," DiBattisto says. "Dads can help with bathing, dressing, and changing diapers. They can read to, snuggle with, and hold their children. Dads can also pick up and bring the baby to Mom for feedings, which would be much appreciated in the middle of the night, then take the baby back for burping."

Don't fret that you won't be able to soothe your baby because you don't smell like mother's milk. Dads have a knack for handling their babies thanks to certain manly traits. "Dads have a very special role to play in nurturing and calming down a fussy baby" Hill says. "Sometimes, if you have larger, stronger hands, you can specialize in making a nice, tight swaddle. Babies like to be gently vibrated or jiggled -- never shaken -- dads tend to find that favourite place for the baby on their bodies! And babies often calm down to the sound of a deep voice. So singing, humming, or speaking calmly can help."

Find a task you love and use it to deepen your relationship with your baby. You will never feel alone or unloved for the rest of your life.

References - WebMD