How can dads bond with unborn baby

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For an early start, dads can talk to baby in the womb. Babies can begin hearing sounds and voices around the week mark. Are there any specific benefits of dad talking to baby in the womb?

You may have heard that skin-to-skin contact is an important way to bond with baby. Touch helps baby feel safer and can even help reduce how often they cry. Your body can also help baby regulate their temperature and heartbeat. This a natural ability that both moms and dads have. Skin-to-skin touch also provides tons of other benefits for baby, including improved mental development, reduced stress and possibly a lowered risk of obesity in the future. These create feelings of love, protectiveness and happiness.

Plus, they can help reduce stress and boost your confidence as a parent. It sounds easy, but making eye contact with your baby is one of the keys to their early development. Babies can recognize their parents pretty early actually — as young as 4 days old. To help your baby get a good look at you, hold them between 8 and 15 inches away from your face while looking into their eyes. But you can and should take part, too.

During the first month, newborns eat between eight and 12 times a day. Be the parent who carries baby to and from mealtimes.

This will give mom a break and give you some prime cuddle time throughout the day. You can hang out during the meal, too. If mom is breastfeeding, ask if you can help support the baby. You can also use this time to flex your cleaning skills. Bottles, breast pumps, bibs and everything else used during mealtimes needs to be sanitized after each use. Taking over this chore can give mom a chance to relax and remind you that you play an important part in making sure your baby is well taken care of.

Taking over some responsibilities with your new baby can be a great way for you to strengthen your relationship. It will build your confidence as a great dad, and it will help your baby learn to count on you. Consider taking over diaper duty. This is something you can do from day one, helping you share in the work getting you some quality father-baby bonding time.

Make diaper changing a fun event. A changing table can become a stage where you sing silly songs or make funny faces at your baby. We create our articles with NCT antenatal teachers, postnatal leaders and breastfeeding counsellors, as well as academics and representatives from relevant organisations and charities. Read more about our editorial review process. How can dads bond with their baby? Read time 5 minutes. Breadcrumb Home Life as a parent Bonding and caring for your baby How can dads bond with their baby?

Email Post Tweet Post. It takes time Pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding can give mums a bit of a head start in bonding Machin, Get snuggling Make sure that you get that crucial skin-to-skin contact as soon after birth as you can Shorey et al, The power of touch A good way of carving out some dad time is to find a task that can be just yours.

Permission to be fun dad At around six months old, bonding moves to a different level. This page was last reviewed in May Further information Our support line offers practical and emotional support in all areas of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood: Show references.

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