Ways Dad Can Bond With Baby

Newborns spend a lot of time with Mom in the first few' days and weeks after birth. This helps Mom and baby connect well or bond. While Dad isn't the one who can nurse baby, there are still lots of things Dad can do to bond with baby.  

• Dad can be the one to read baby a story every day.
• Dad can be the one to bathe baby.
• Dad can be the one in charge of getting baby ready for bed for the night.
• Dad can be the one who puts baby to bed.
• Dad can be the one who gets baby out of bed in the morning.
• Dad can be the one who is in charge of getting baby dressed and ready for the day.
• Dad can be the one who snuggles baby at dinnertime while Mom gets to have both hands free to eat.
• Dad can be the one to take baby out for a walk everyday, whether it's going through the neighborhood or driving to the mall, store or other indoor space and walking there.

I recommend that Dad should have some area of baby's day that is his special time with baby, that only he does, and does how it works for him and baby.  It may be different than how Mom would do it, but that's okay. Babies are smart, and they know Mom and Dad aren't clones of each other. Babies benefit from having Dad only time to support and increase bonding, and Dad only time shouldn't wait until baby is older.  It should start the day baby is born.