Baby Care Advice For New Dads
Most of the time, caring for a baby is left to the mother. However, this does not mean that you dads should just relax around. In fact, you should be as involved as your partner in the task to ensure that your little one grows well. So, in this article, Baby Insider will tackle the role the dad has to play in raising the baby and how he can do it effectively.
Busting a few myths first
One of the most persistent notions when it comes to fathers taking care of their babies is that they are simply not interested in it. This, of course, is not true. From the first moments that you learn your partner is pregnant, you likely can’t hide your excitement. And once your little bundle of joy, there is the eagerness to hold him in your arms. Furthermore, you will likely want to hold him often whenever you are around.
However, even with all that enthusiasm, there is still the assumptions that dads are not as good as the moms when it comes to newborn care. Often, you are thought of as being clumsy and clueless about how to do the various chores associated with baby-rearing. While there is a certain truth the latter statement, this is mainly due to the fact that most fathers do not get to be fully hands-on with taking care of the baby. On the other hand, that is not to say that they are not as competent, as several studies have shown that they can be as good as the mother in caring for babies if they are given the opportunity.
Preparing yourself for the baby
Because of the above myths, a lot of new dads have become very anxious when it comes to caring for their little ones. What if he starts crying, what should I do? What if I accidentally slipped or dropped him? These are just some of the common questions that would be racing in your head the first time you are tasked with caring for your little bundle of joy. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you should not be afraid. Remember that this is your child you will be taking care of, so you should be confident to hold him in your arms. As for the potential mistakes that you might make when caring for him, that is part of the whole experience. And as long as you exercise caution, you will be able to avoid the accidents that can happen. It is also important that you get to know more about what your wife has to go through when it comes to child rearing. During the pregnancy alone, your wife will bo through a lot of pain and discomfort, with everything reaching a peak during labor and childbirth. But that doesn’t end there, as she now has to go through several months of almost sleepless nights to attend to the little one’s needs. This does not mean that you have to experience the same pain just to be able to take care of your little one though you are certainly going to go through the sleepless nights. However, once you get a good picture of the effort your wife pours into the task, you will also understand the motherly bond that forms between her and your child. This will help you build your own connection with your baby.
Bonding with your baby
As you might already understand by now, babies become quite attached to their mothers such then will start to cry when carried by somebody else, even their fathers. This is going to be your first challenge, to get both yourself and your child comfortable with each other.
Don’t be discouraged when he cries for the first time. Instead, gently caress him until he starts to calm down. You can also nestle him with his cheek touching the soft part of your forearm. Singing him a song (even if you don’t have the voice for him) also does wonders.
It is also essential that you and your little one get some alone time with each other. Having your wife babysit you while you babysit the little bundle of joy, so let her off for a while. This will also be good for her as she will be able to get some well-deserved rest.