About Babies

Ways Dads Can Bond With Their Baby
(That Don’t Involve A Bottle)

One of the arguments sometimes heard from mothers as to why they might want to give up breastfeeding, is that Dad feels left out.  As one daddy so succinctly put it,  the one thing that Dads have no real place in, is breastfeeding.   There are so many other ways to bond with your baby!

You don’t need to feed your baby to be connected – there are a million and one things that go on during a baby’s day, and you can be a part of all of them.   It gives Mom a break, and you can bond with your amazing little gift from God!

Although now there is science to back it up, we don't really need confirmation to know how important it is for children to grow up with an engaged and involved dad.  Many dads ask, "How can I establish a bound with my baby?"  They know their wives  have an advantage obviously because she carried the baby to full term and begin breastfeeding right after birth.   How can they have a unique relationship with their little one?

1. Make sure you have some alone time with your baby.  Babies interact differently with each parent.  This time can be an exploratory time for both you and your baby.  This is a huge way to build strong bonds with your baby.

2. Bath your baby.  Better still, bath with your baby.  Co-Bathing gives you some lovely skin to skin bonding time.  As the baby gets a little older, bring the bath and beach toys into the tub along with a colander and let baby have a blast sinking ships and making "rain".

3. Take a tour of your own house with the child in a front carrier, letting him/her grab things within reach.

4. Babies respond to touch, and a simple way to soothe and relax them is with a baby massage.  When your baby is quiet and happy (you won't want to try it on a fussy baby) take 10 to 15 minutes to gently rub her legs, belly, arms, and neck.

5. Give him or her airplane rides through the house and garden.

6. Wear your baby – Baby wearing isn’t just for moms.  Babies like the sound of Dad’s heartbeat too.  Invest in a good quality baby carrier and enjoy the benefits as your baby sleeps, observes, and snuggles in nice and close.

7. Make Silly Faces.  You can definitely be the funny guy. Start by just making silly faces that will make your baby glow with a smile.  As your baby gets older try fun games like peek-a-boo.

8. Read to your baby – you can start this in utero.  One of the most beautiful moments after a baby's birth is to watch him turn his head to his daddy’s voice,  recognizing it from all the chatting and reading to him that was done while he was gestating!

9. Special play time.  Set aside time every night to play with your little guy. Make it part of his daily routine, so when you come home from work he expects his daddy time.

10. Sing to your baby.  Your baby doesn’t care if you’re a soprano or a bullfrog.   Singing to your baby is a bit of fun, and can soothe her.  It doesn't matter if it's a lullaby or rock 'n' roll, as long as it's repetitive and sung with enthusiasm.

11.  Start a kitchen band with pots and pans and spoons.

12. Walk your baby.  Get the pram (or sling) and get out there and enjoy the big wide world.  Explain things to her, chat to her along the way.  Babies take in and store everything, so you’re not just talking to yourself.

13. Play with your baby – it might seem obvious, but just getting down on the the floor, and showing them toys, chatting about things, and simply “being” with your baby is wonderful. As I said, your baby takes in everything, and is constantly learning and developing. Newborns don’t “do” a great deal, but they are still learning all about the world, and their place in it – so show them!

14. Daddy Dance Party.  Babies love music and they love to dance. Even when your baby is just a few months old you can start having dance parties. Turn on some music (or sing a special song) then sway around the room with baby. As your baby gets older you can help her stand and dance (a.k.a. bounce) till she is able to groove to her own moves.

15.  Play 'hide and seek' with toys, and show your baby how to find hidden treasures.

Thanks to Brent and Kathryn Joseph for sharing little Jack's daddy-bonding pictures.
              Kathryn Joseph is a Charis Certified Childbirth Educator and Doula.