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Bonding with your new baby

Your natural role as protector of the family

It’s likely that when your baby’s first born you’ll experience a wide range of emotions; from intense joy and awe to a sense of happy disbelief that your new baby has finally arrived.

Once all the medical checks have been done and you’ve hopefully been able to stop worrying about your baby’s health your main feeling will be one of protectiveness.

After all, this is how human beings have behaved for thousands of years. Women carry and give birth to the baby, and fathers look after the family unit, protecting them from any threats and solving problems.

Get involved

However, it’s important that your protective feelings don’t prevent you from revealing your more tender and caring side as a father. To bond with your baby you’ll need to start getting fully involved with everything your baby needs and to start relating to her as a new individual with her own personality.

Ask for some advice from the experts

It’s natural to be nervous about this new stage of your life, and to have concerns about doing things the right way. When you’re still in hospital you’ll be shown how to change nappies properly and how to hold your baby, so don’t be afraid to ask for as many lessons as you need.

Touch and hold your baby

Make sure you get to spend plenty of time holding, cuddling, bathing and just communicating with your new baby. Babies love the feel of your skin next to theirs, so let her lie on your bare chest and stroke her skin.

Your baby can’t see very far at the moment, so cradle her at chest level so she can start to get used to what your face looks like. Try singing to your baby and dancing while you hold her – she’ll love the deeper tones of your voice and she’ll enjoy the sensation of movement with you.

Dads may be better at some things!

Dads are often very good at encouraging their baby to take a few first steps. They can often hold their baby up for longer, giving the baby the chance to move their legs and practice first steps with the security of dad’s confident arms to hold onto. Dads are sometimes a bit better at giving babies baths as your large hands will allow you to hold your slippery baby more securely in the water.

Keep on talking

It’s essential to talk to your baby on a regular basis to encourage his language development and so he can become fully familiar with the sounds of your voice. As your baby progresses, you’ll start to have all sorts of enjoyable conversations together.

Story time

A key part of language development is story time. When you read a story interactively with your baby, they will be able to express their thoughts and feelings about the book back to you, which helps to develop his communication and listening skills, as well as an affectionate bond between you.

Play together

Play is another enjoyable way of getting to know your baby. From two months onwards your baby will enjoy playing all sorts of games with you. And through play you are helping your child to develop socially, emotionally and physically.

Attend medical checks with your partner and baby

Take the time to attend as many medical checks as you can with your partner and baby – it will help you to feel less worried about your baby’s health and to feel a closer bond.