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7 Ways Dads Can Bond With Their Baby That Don't Involve A Bottle

January 24 By 20 Comments
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One of the arguments I hear from so many moms as to why they have to give up breastfeeding is that Dad feels left out. As my other half mentioned in another post, the one thing that Dads have no real place in, is breastfeeding. There are so many other ways to bond with your baby, that feeding is a moot point. And really Mom’s job

1. Bath your baby. Better still, bath with your baby. Co-Bathing and showering saves water, and gives you some lovely skin to skin bonding time.

 

2. Massage your baby. You can learn infant massage from a certified instructor, or from a DVD. Massaging your baby is soothing  for both of you, and really beneficial for your tot.

3. 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 (Such as an Ergo) and enjoy the benefits as your baby sleeps, observes, and snuggles in nice and close.

4. Read to your baby – you can start this in utero  One of the most beautiful moments after my son’s birth was watching him turn his head to his daddy’s voice, he recognized it from all the chatting and reading to him that was done while he was gestating!

5. 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 them.  There are lots of sites with nursery rhyme tunes, and words you can try out with your baby. Or you can do what my husband does, and make up silly songs.

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

7. Play with your baby – it might seem obvious, but just getting down on 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!

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 creature.

Enjoy!

 

Filed Under: Attached Dads, Breastfeeding

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  • http://earthymamalama.wordpress.com/ earthymamalama

    Nice tips!

  • http://earthymamalama.wordpress.com/ earthymamalama

    Nice tips!

  • Elias Msimanga

    Elias Msimanga – I belive personally it’s out of this world to wash them and see them smile at you…

  • Elias Msimanga

    Elias Msimanga – I belive personally it’s out of this world to wash them and see them smile at you…

  • http://www.ababycarrier.com baby pouches

    My husband has been a natural from day one. It’s a shame that caring and bonding with a baby is quite awkward for some.

  • http://www.ababycarrier.com baby pouches

    My husband has been a natural from day one. It’s a shame that caring and bonding with a baby is quite awkward for some.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_HJEHDQW2HCI6UPNSW77DFWQZFA Wendy

    Another great tip is to bring hungry baby to Mum, this and changing uncomfortable nappies are great ways to be your baby’s hero! My husband always got up in the night and went and got hungry babies, and now 4 they really do look up to him. He also used to just lay down and let them climb all over him as they started to crawl and pull up. He did ‘kangaroo care’ with one of the twins when newborn (while I was in 3rd phase) and in particular she had a very close bond to him.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_HJEHDQW2HCI6UPNSW77DFWQZFA Wendy

    Another great tip is to bring hungry baby to Mum, this and changing uncomfortable nappies are great ways to be your baby’s hero! My husband always got up in the night and went and got hungry babies, and now 4 they really do look up to him. He also used to just lay down and let them climb all over him as they started to crawl and pull up. He did ‘kangaroo care’ with one of the twins when newborn (while I was in 3rd phase) and in particular she had a very close bond to him.

  • Anonymous

    Thanks Wendy, that’s a great tip!

    Sounds like you’ve got one of those Super Daddys on Team Parent!! :-D

  • Anonymous

    Thanks Wendy, that’s a great tip!

    Sounds like you’ve got one of those Super Daddys on Team Parent!! :-D

  • http://twitter.com/gypsy4360 trina moore

    Thanks for this. I think in the very beginning my husband felt that way, as our son nursed alot!!! lol But we started things like you mentioned. Bath sharing was great for us. I was happy to read that. Some think we are very strange that we do that. But it is great. It is peaceful and calm, a good time to chat about the day! Anyway….more dads should be included in this way. It has made our family better and stronger. I’d just like to add, that the dads who don’t, maybe just don’t know how, but would be willing if asked. Men in our culture aren’t always raised to be connected on an emotional level. Given the chance, you will find they will flourish.

    • http://www.naturalparentingtips.com Kiera Pedley

      You’re welcome!
      I entirely agree – I don’t think by nature men are disconnected or distanced, but I do think there’s a social expectation for them to be that way.

  • http://twitter.com/gypsy4360 trina moore

    Thanks for this. I think in the very beginning my husband felt that way, as our son nursed alot!!! lol But we started things like you mentioned. Bath sharing was great for us. I was happy to read that. Some think we are very strange that we do that. But it is great. It is peaceful and calm, a good time to chat about the day! Anyway….more dads should be included in this way. It has made our family better and stronger. I’d just like to add, that the dads who don’t, maybe just don’t know how, but would be willing if asked. Men in our culture aren’t always raised to be connected on an emotional level. Given the chance, you will find they will flourish.

    • http://www.naturalparentingtips.com Kiera Pedley

      You’re welcome!
      I entirely agree – I don’t think by nature men are disconnected or distanced, but I do think there’s a social expectation for them to be that way.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QO24TNAPHEX5KCPTCVXT5HT3PE Janel

    I think men who were not breastfed have a bigger issue with this …. the jealousy aspect. Their feelings are real and need to be acknowledged. It needs to be addressed during pregnancy if not before conception. Men can have much skin to skin and even hold baby to chest and do everything except nurse, and even then, men have lactated when mother absent. Men can even let the baby suckle them. Men also realize how powerful a woman, their wife, mother of their baby is, when she is breastfeeding and they are envious of her ability to breastfeed and yearn to do so. So, the brave man will feel his feelings. The compassionate woman will acknowledge them. Many will not open their minds to thinking and feeling through this socially designed mishap they experience though, and she quitting is the illogical answer. It’s too bad. We need to talk about these taboos against what is natural and logical. Men can be supported to grieve the loss of not being breastfed when their mothers were lied to and culture said “man-made” milk better. What man would not want his baby to have the absolute best — if he only knew it. Education about breastfeeding before pregnancy and birth is best.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QO24TNAPHEX5KCPTCVXT5HT3PE Janel

    I think men who were not breastfed have a bigger issue with this …. the jealousy aspect. Their feelings are real and need to be acknowledged. It needs to be addressed during pregnancy if not before conception. Men can have much skin to skin and even hold baby to chest and do everything except nurse, and even then, men have lactated when mother absent. Men can even let the baby suckle them. Men also realize how powerful a woman, their wife, mother of their baby is, when she is breastfeeding and they are envious of her ability to breastfeed and yearn to do so. So, the brave man will feel his feelings. The compassionate woman will acknowledge them. Many will not open their minds to thinking and feeling through this socially designed mishap they experience though, and she quitting is the illogical answer. It’s too bad. We need to talk about these taboos against what is natural and logical. Men can be supported to grieve the loss of not being breastfed when their mothers were lied to and culture said “man-made” milk better. What man would not want his baby to have the absolute best — if he only knew it. Education about breastfeeding before pregnancy and birth is best.