A common challenge that a lot of new dads have is bonding with their newborn baby. And it can feel like you are the only one however that is not the case. Many new dads feel the same way.
Because let’s face it, a lot has happened since your new baby was born. And it can take time to settle into a routine and genuinely bond with your baby. But there are things that you can start doing as early as today to speed up the process. Here are 15 quick ways to bond with your newborn as a new dad.
Diaper duty
Yes, diaper duty. Although this might be one of those things that you are trying to avoid, changing diapers is actually something that can help you quickly bond with your newborn baby. In actuality, changing the diaper of a newborn baby isn’t that bad. And you can make the time go by fast by making it fun rather than dreading it.
Bath time
This is one of the best ways that you can bond with your baby. And it’s also a great way to enjoy quality time together. It can be fun too. A great way to make bath time more enjoyable is to sing silly songs. No singing skills required. Just make up a song on the spot and start singing.
Baby massage
A great time to treat your little one to a nice massage is shortly after bath time. Corwin Sutherin, Pediatric Occupational Therapist, shares a great video on how to give an infant massage on YouTube. You can also give your baby a massage before bedtime too.
Put down to sleep
Helping with your newborn’s nap or bedtime will not only allow you to bond with your newborn but it also gives mom some much needed relief. Depending how fast your baby falls asleep, the time that you spend settling your baby down will be appreciated by your baby and your partner. Even though it can sometimes seem challenging, these are memories that you will look back on and smile.
Talk a walk
Sometimes as new dads, it can feel intimidating to take your newborn for a walk. In a lot of cases this is because you might not have the proper equipment outside of the traditional stroller.
A Boba wrap baby carrier is a very useful and effective way to wrap your newborn safely for your walk together. For your first three months as a new dad, you will come to appreciate this infant sling.
Take part in feeding time
Whether your newborn is breastfeeding or not, there are creative ways that you can be involved in feeding time. You can simply be present during breastfeeding and offer support. Or, you can feed your baby with a bottle. The earlier that you can get involved in feeding time, the easier it becomes and the more accustomed your baby will be to having you around. Over the long term, this also gives your partner some much needed relief.
Burping
Even if you are not part of feeding time, you can bond with your newborn as a dad by burping your baby. This is a great opportunity to get involved and be a plugged in father. If you happen to find that feeding your newborn is a little overwhelming, then burping your baby is a great way to help.
Cuddle time
Almost nothing beats cuddle time with your newborn. Especially when your baby is comfortable, well rested and well fed. Skin to skin contact is very important. And not just for new mothers but for new dads as well.
The kangaroo care baby bonding technique for Dads has actually been getting more popular. And it’s widely recognized by organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Get involved
In general, an effective way to bond with your newborn is to offer support wherever you can. This means communicating with your spouse or partner to find out how you can help. It really is ok to not know what to do. The sooner that you can offer to be involved, the quicker you will be able to bond with your baby.
Take time off work
If possible, do your best to take some time off of work. Truthfully, work can wait when you are a new dad. The quicker that you can be there for your baby from the beginning, the more it increases your chances of being able to bond with your baby from the outset. Embrace this moment, it’s worth it.
Play games
Playtime is a wonderful time to bond with your newborn. As a new dad, you will have to be creative with the games you play. You can play peekaboo or tickle. And you can also make silly faces and gently bounce your baby on your knee.
Take the night shift
New dads are notoriously called out for not taking the night shift with a baby. However, a lot of new dads do help out at night time. Whether you work in the morning or not, helping out with your newborn during the night does fast track the bonding process.
You may be a little tired of work the next day but it doesn’t last forever. As your newborn moves into the toddler and tween years your nightshift days will be a thing of the past. Try to enjoy the chaos because time goes by quickly.
Tummy time
This can be a very rewarding experience for you as a new dad. There is something about seeing your baby start to hold its head up even for just a millisecond that just makes you feel like you are on top of the world. Tummy time is definitely a great way to see your little one’s motor skills in action. And it’s a great way for the both of you to grow your bond.
Undivided attention
Giving your newborn baby your undivided attention is very important. This means that you must put away your handheld devices so that you don’t get distracted. And this also means that while you are rocking your baby to sleep that you are not scrolling on social media. Your baby needs you to be engaged. Doing this strengthens your chances of bonding with your baby as a dad.
Dressing
By now you might have a lot of cute baby clothes that only mom has put on the baby. If this is the case then this is your opportunity to dress your baby in its clothes. This may sound simple but dressing a newborn baby should be done carefully. And because it can take a lot longer than you think, you can capitalize on these moments to bond with your baby.
Summary
Remember, if you feel that you are not bonding with your newborn yet, you are not alone. It will happen. It just takes a little bit of time. You have it in you. Even though it’s natural to feel worried, try not too. Implement one or all of these tips and you will be bonding with your newborn in no time. You got this Dad.
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