It is a lot easier for mums to bond with their baby than it is for dads. This is due in part to you having spent nine months carrying them around and your body being instinctively in tune with them. And if you are breastfeeding you will be given an extra special opportunity to bond. But it’s important dads aren’t forgotten about in all this mother-and-baby bonding.
Here are five really simple tips to help your baby bond with their father and vice versa.
Pop baby in a carrier
Babies love to be carried around so get your other half to pop a baby carrier on and sit the infant in. This way they will still be able to go about their business and have cuddles with baby. It will also give you free time to catch up on sleep or just simple time alone.
Get them to do a night feed
You can’t do all the night feeds no matter how much you may want to, so give your baby’s dad a chance to help out. If you are breastfeeding you will need to pump milk into a bottle, but you can do this before you go to sleep. This is a great way for them to establish an unbreakable connection – in the dark of night when it is just the two of them and there are no distractions.
Skin-on-skin
Skin-on-skin is an important way for mum to bond with baby as soon as they are born, so get your other half to do the same. It will help them to feel calmer and more in tune with baby thus making it easier for fathers to understand their cues.
Feedings
Let your partner do daytime feeds or even morning feeds. The more opportunities they get to feed baby the quicker they will create a bond. If you are breastfeeding, simply express milk into a bottle.
Play time
Babies enjoy face-to-face and eye-to-eye contact so encourage your other half to get down and play with their newborn. Cooing or even simply gazing at them will help your infant recognise both face and voice.
