Each time you cuddle with your baby, you’re forming a bond with him as the oxytocin, which is a vital relationship-building chemical, is released. It’s one of the reasons doctors place the newborns on their mothers’ bare chest. In this way, the baby and the mother will have skin on skin contact allowing the initial connection to arise naturally.
Daddy baby bonding is necessary today. Generations ago, fathers were seen as breadwinners. They’re the ones who went to work and didn’t bond with their kids. In the past decades, however, it has changed. Daddy’s role has evolved. They’re now more nurturing and very involved. They bond with their babies more than they were before, which is crucial to the development of their babies.
Critical Period of Child’s Development
Baby’s brain is growing faster, from the beginning of pregnancy to three years of age. It’s considered as a crucial period of development of the baby as it creates a foundation for long-term positive outcomes.
During this time, baby’s neural pathways are forming, and their brain’s development is determined by daily experiences with parents and the world. If they have positive experiences at this early stage, it supports healthy brain development and promotes healthy learning. Thus, it’s vital that daddies should also bond with their babies.
Fathers who bonded with their kids from birth would ensure that their babies are would grow up to be emotionally secure. They also tend to be confident when they explore their surroundings.
As they grow older, they can have better social connections with their peers and they are less likely to get in trouble at home or school. Furthermore, they are less likely to use illegal drugs and abuse alcohol.
Studies also showed that children who bonded with their fathers when they were still babies have higher IQs than those kids who don’t have a nurturing and involved father.
What Can Fathers Do to Bond with their Babies?
1. Keep Your Baby Close When Holding
When mothers breastfeed their babies, they cuddle them up close their chest. Fathers, too, must cuddle their baby and keep them close to their chest in a way that baby can gaze up at them so they can connect and bond naturally.
2. Become the Rescuer of the Night
Daddies are not around during the day to comfort their babies. To bond with their little ones, they can share the night time shift with their partners by becoming the rescuer of the evening. It will give daddies a chance to have a precious alone time with their babies while their partners have an opportunity to get a long overdue sleep.
3. Soothe Them
It’s tempting to just hand crying babies to their mothers. But you, as a father, can be brave and soothe your baby’s tears. You can sing to him or walk around with him in your arms. Baltic wonder amber necklaces can also be a soothing source.
4. Be There with Your Partner
Another way to bond with your baby is to be there for your spouse. By being more involved with child-rearing, you’re likely to bond with your child, thereby, giving him the best start in life.
