It is a fear many modern dads share: will I be able to bond with my new baby while mom is breastfeeding? The answer in short is YES, and here are many tips on how and when a dad can and should bond with his newborn, even if mom is handling all the up and close personal feedings.
"My fiancee is currently five months pregnant. She plans on breast feeding the baby. This is our first child together,…
Posted by Life of Dad on Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Tony Williams: As a dad of two (both breast fed) I don’t get this whole “bonding” thing. I don’t even know what it means. You’re the kid’s dad so just look after them. Change nappies, cuddle them, take them out for walks. And please don’t pressure your partner to express or bottle-feed just because you want a go at feeding. That will make you a total a-hole.
Jonathan Lee: My little man was breast fed for a few months. I made sure I put him to bed, and changed nappies etc to bond. Now at 16 months old and hes toddling, he is my shadow. Bond is there good and proper. Just make sure you do stuff with the baby to show you’re not just there for the good times. Clean sick, change nappies, change clothes, then the baby will learn you provide comfort and security for them.
Earl Gable: Want to “bond with your baby”? Then spend time with him/her. Breastfeeding may allow more personal time between mom and baby, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to bond with your child. Tickle her, read to her, change diapers, watch TV — bonding occurs when you’re present with the child. So take a deep breath dad and relax. You’ll be fine.
Benjamin Collins: My two were exclusively breastfed and I didn’t miss out on any bonding time. Just remember, it’s about what’s best for your baby, not you. You’ll be fine.
Paul Phillip: no way…both my daughters were breastfed until they were 2…mom’s not always going to be around…there will be plenty of opportunity to feed the baby with the bottle…especially in the middle of the night, and then again 2 hours later…and then again 2 hours later… 😉
John O’Donohue: Your bonding time with your new born are in the following.
- Changing diapers
- Bath time
- Burping after breast feeding
- Putting to sleep
- Go for walks outside in pram/stroller
- Change clothes
- Carry baby whilst watching TV or having a rest, so mom can have some breathing space alone.
Having said that, your newborn will “bond” with you. Mother is always the primary care giver because she only got boobs exclusively for feeding.
Also, you can ask the mother to express breast milk into bottles and place into freezer and you can feed her when she’s not available.
Aaron Church: my daughter was both, breastfed and bottle fed. Feeding them isnt the only way to bond with them, with newborns skin to skin is strongly encouraged but outside of that as someone said, change them, cuddle them and do things with them. You can also hire a photographer from Newborn Photography Washington DC to take photos of you and your newborn.
Luke Parker: Man it was hard for me when the missus breast fed, she was up at all hours id get up to help but I couldn’t do anything, she appreciated that I tried but I felt like I was behind…which I was for about a year but its changed now…after 18 months I was doing just as much and now its about 50/50…just be there for her and do all you can.
Flickr photo by DFID, used under Creative Commons license.