Before your newborn’s arrival, you must have had a mental picture of how your life will be as a dad. But within a few days of her arrival you begin to realize it is not as pretty a picture as you thought it would be and you are being pushed to the edge with extreme sleep deprivation to keep you company. Your baby will be crying intermittently, your wife will look almost like a zombie due to sleepless nights, and you start doubting if it is possible at all to bond with your ultimate bundle of joy. It is not surprising if you slowly lose all excitement and become crankier than your cranky newborn. You may feel vulnerable, ignored and even ‘good for nothing’ on the parenting front. Here are some simple bonding tips for new dads:
1. Dive in straight …show more content…
You can master that technique too if you learn to observe and listen to your baby closely. Baby language will sound as strange as French and Latin initially, but slowly and steadily you will learn that each cry is different, demanding one thing or the other. In a few weeks you will be able to pick the cues and will become as efficient as your wife in decoding baby language.
5. Support the new mamma
Your wife has gone through and is still going through a lot of new emotions and troubles. She needs your support. Also, it is sheer common sense that a happier mom will lead to a happier baby. A happier baby in the household means less bouts of crying and more peace, and most importantly more time to relax and bond. So, do not hesitate to get her that pizza combo she loves on your way back from office.
6. Take the night shift
Take the night shift and be an owl whenever possible; let your wife catch up on some extra sleep. You will be tempted to hand over your baby to her mamma every time she cries or acts cranky. Resist that temptation and try to soothe her tears unless she is crying for milk. Soothing a crying baby is one of the hardest, yet the best ways to bond. Moreover, such night vigils will give your baby and you some precious time
1. Dive in straight …show more content…
You can master that technique too if you learn to observe and listen to your baby closely. Baby language will sound as strange as French and Latin initially, but slowly and steadily you will learn that each cry is different, demanding one thing or the other. In a few weeks you will be able to pick the cues and will become as efficient as your wife in decoding baby language.
5. Support the new mamma
Your wife has gone through and is still going through a lot of new emotions and troubles. She needs your support. Also, it is sheer common sense that a happier mom will lead to a happier baby. A happier baby in the household means less bouts of crying and more peace, and most importantly more time to relax and bond. So, do not hesitate to get her that pizza combo she loves on your way back from office.
6. Take the night shift
Take the night shift and be an owl whenever possible; let your wife catch up on some extra sleep. You will be tempted to hand over your baby to her mamma every time she cries or acts cranky. Resist that temptation and try to soothe her tears unless she is crying for milk. Soothing a crying baby is one of the hardest, yet the best ways to bond. Moreover, such night vigils will give your baby and you some precious time