Just a couple of decades ago, babies (especially newborns) were moms' domain. Dads brought home the bacon and played with their kids on occasion. These days, however, this isn't the case anymore. Dads now want to be a part of their babies' lives from the very beginning.
At the same time, there is no denying that this process can be a little awkward. This is especially true if you are a first-time dad. More often than not, you may feel like you are on the sidelines, watching your partner interact with your baby.
Well, there's good news for you - things don't have to continue in this manner anymore. If you want to be the best possible father that you can be, then these are the guidelines that you should follow:
Be There From the Very Beginning
Many new dads have hesitantly revealed that it took a while for them to develop a paternal bond with their baby https://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/story?id=7798274&page=1. It can take weeks, even months before you begin to feel an overwhelming sense of love for your little one.
There is a reason for this. For one thing, most fathers are only able to start interacting with their little ones once they are born. In this sense, it can often feel like moms have gotten a head start on them.
The other reason is that many dads can feel rather useless when the baby is firstborn. It can seem that your newborn is glued to your partner whenever the little one isn't sleeping. This, of course, is because the baby's needs are pretty basic at this stage - food from mom and comfort.
If this is something you are experiencing, make it a point to flip the situation. Talk to your partner and explain that you are feeling left out of the equation. This way, she will make more of an effort to hand the little one to you whenever he or she isn't being fed.
Spend Time with Your Baby
On a similar note, make sure to spend as much time with your baby as possible. There are many different ways that new fathers can do this. For instance, you can even take over feeding your little one. This is something you can do even if your newborn is being breastfed.
Once your little one has time to get used to being breastfed, let your partner use a breast pump to express milk. Then, use a good baby bottle to feed your little one. If you want to use the best one possible, you can look to a guide such as https://littleonemag.com/best-baby-bottles/.
Even when you aren't feeding your little one, make sure to take over as soon as your partner is done. A full baby will be a lot more content and will not fuss as much when they are handed over to you. Thus, you may find it easier to bond with them at this time.
Handle It Alone
Everyone is going to be wary of leaving you alone with the baby. In fact, you may not be so crazy about the idea either. After all, many new dads are often constantly corrected or scolded when handling the baby. Therefore, they may imagine that they can't do it by themselves.
However, you need a chance to prove that you are completely capable of taking care of your child. Sure, things may not go perfectly and you may make a few mistakes along the way. Nevertheless, it will teach you that even with a couple of hiccups, you can still make it as a dad.
This is another topic you should discuss with your partner. Inform them that you and the baby need some time to bond together without anyone else interfering. So, carve out about 20 or 30 minutes where there is no one else around. You will be surprised how much this will help the relationship between you and your baby in the long run.
Create a Routine for Just You and Your Baby
As your baby gets a little older, you will be able to develop a routine. This means that you will start including tasks such as bath time and bedtime. Make sure to claim one of these activities as your own. Then, carry out the routine the same way every day.
As your baby grows, he or she will come to understand that this is a special time for baby and daddy. So, even if you get busier, you can be certain that there is a particular time of day where you and your little one can bond. You will be surprised at how much you look forward to these moments.
When your baby is even older, you can make other things a routine. This could be a visit to the park, heading to a particular restaurant, or any other activity. However, your little one must realize that it is time for you and them to connect.
Build Your Community
There are so many meet-ups and classes for new moms. The same can't be said for new dads, however. While society is catching up to the fact that dads need activities with their little ones, it is a slow movement. Still, this shouldn't deter you.
One way to find other new dads is to use social media. If you are lucky, there may be local groups set up. If not, you can make an effort to create such groups by yourself. You don't have to start with anything fancy. It can just be you and some other new dads (with the babies in tow) meeting up at a café. Just knowing that you can share your feelings and emotions in a safe space is enough for most people.
Being a first-time dad can be scary, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. Follow the guidelines here and you should find that this period of life will get just a bit easier. Oh, and make sure to cherish these moments as they can be fleeting.
