5 Tips For New Dads For Bonding With Your Baby
Bonding with your baby is an important part of raising a child. But if you’re in a heterosexual relationship, it can be easy to step away from your role as a parent and allow the mother to handle your child.
Birth mothers have an advantage over other parents, as they can breastfeed their children. Many birth mothers also have an instinctive alert allowing them to hear their babies whimper even in the dead of night.
Although birth mothers have this natural method of bonding with their babies, it isn’t the only way to connect with their children. The other methods are still available to you, and we will list them here.
Bottle Feeding
Yes, birth mothers have the option to breastfeed their babies, but that isn’t the only way to connect through food. Dads and non-breastfeeding parents can offer their child breast milk through a bottle, or with formula.
This will allow the birth mother to have a break, and you can use this precious time to make strong connections with your child. Your baby will see you as a caregiver and a source of comfort, simply because of the bottle you’re feeding them with.
If you are using formulas, don’t worry about buying too much. If your baby transfers to solid food faster than you anticipated, you can sell your leftovers at https://sellformula.com/.
Skin-To-Skin Contact
Any type of cuddle is important, but the best include skin-to-skin contact. Your baby will nestle into your warmth, while at the same time smelling your scent. As they drift off, they will connect your aroma with the idea of comfort and safety.
Your baby will be sleeping multiple times throughout the day, so you can create connections multiple times too. Ideally, every parent should have cuddle time, and if it’s appropriate to make these skin-on-skin snuggle sessions, then opt for this extra step.
Face-To-Face Contact
Babies love faces. They will stare at them and try to mimic them as they learn how to adjust their own muscles.
However, most of the time a parent’s face will not be in their child’s vision. This is because babies can only see around 18 inches away. If you only look down on your child or hold them in your arms, then it could be months before they truly recognize your face.
To avoid this sad future, make sure to get super close to your baby. Let them touch your face, pull on your cheeks, and gnaw on your nose. This is all a learning experience for them, so although you might find the prodding annoying, it’s the perfect way for them to learn your face and bond to your emotions.
Wake Up With The Baby
Although birth mothers often have the natural instinct of hearing their baby whimper in the night, that doesn’t mean you should forgo this responsibility. Ask the birth mother to wake you up, or if the child is regular, set up your own alarm.
When the baby cries, you can be there to soothe them, reassure them, and let them know that they are safe. Every key parent and caregiver should be joining in with this routine, so the child feels safe and connected to each protector.
If you aren’t around in the middle of the night, that’s okay. Your baby will sleep and awaken during the day too. Use this time to help them settle or wake up with ease. Your presence and comfort will help them recognize the safety and comfort you bring.
Have One-On-One Time
If your baby is always around one parent, they will create a stronger bond with them. The reason is simple: that parent will comfort them more, help them more, have more options for giving knowledge, and have more options to have fun.
It’s normal for one parent to have more alone time with their child than the other. Complete balance almost never happens. However, if you only hang out with your child when others are around, then your baby will never create a solo connection with you. That connection will always be linked to another person.
Make sure you and your kid spend quality alone time together. You could shop together or have bath time together. Whatever you do, make sure you have one-on-one time with your baby.
Summary
The advice we have given today can be used by any parent. The main theme is to spend time with your child. Quality time, in all of its variety, is the best way to bond with your child.