A Dad’s Guide to Bonding with a Breastfeeding Baby

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For me, becoming a dad for the first time was an amazing experience. Nine months of planning, anxiety, and excitement reached its climax during labor and delivery. The next thing I knew, I was holding a beautiful, mini human being I helped create. As I was sitting there, high on parental euphoria, I felt like there’s nothing in the world that could ruin such a perfect moment… until the moment was quickly shattered by the baby’s piercing hunger cry. If a baby is breastfeeding, it will probably be mom - not dad - who will swoops in to save the day.

As a new father, you may struggle to find your place in the life of your newborn if your baby is breastfeeding exclusively. Much of an infant's time is dedicated to sleeping and eating.[1] For a breastfeeding baby, it is the mother who is the primary source of nourishment. This can be a frustrating and isolating experience for dads. It can sometimes lead to the perception that fatherhood does not play a key role during the early stages of development - a perception which couldn’t be farther from the truth. There are numerous ways that men can make unique and meaningful connections with their babies.

Creating a Routine
Did you know that routines - especially bed time routines - can help your baby?[2][3] There are a many facets of daily care which dads can use to create opportunities for bonding. Give mom a break and establish a few things you can do with your baby regularly. Some ideas:

bathing dressing diaper changes

While you are doing these things, you can also talk and sing to your baby. Your child will begin to associate these activities with you. As a result, you will be identified as someone who they can look to for care and it will deepen your connection with your ...

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...cialists of Indiana - ITSI Research Briefs: Effects of shared parent-infant book reading on early language acquisition, 2007
6. Skin to Skin Contact is also known as SCC.
7. Sturdy Memorial Hospital: The Comfort of Contact, 2014
8. OB.Gyn.News: Early skin-to-skin contact promotes breastfeeding, benefits baby, 2013
9. WebMD.com: Skin-to-skin care with the father after cesarean birth and its effect on newborn crying and prefeeding behavior., 2014
10. Fathers can effectively achieve heat conservation in healthy newborn infants., 1996
11. The International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA): ICEA Position Paper Skin-to-Skin Contact, 2014
12. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: NINDS Shaken Baby Syndrome Information Page, 2014
13. Centers for Disease Control: Fathers’ Involvement With Their Children: United States, 2006–2010, 2013

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