Are you getting ready to become a dad for the first time?
The thought of having a newborn may be quite scary to you simply because you are not a parent and have never been one before, so you do not know what to expect or how to handle things.
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The good news is that parenting typically tends to come naturally for most people.
Once you have that baby in your arms, you are going to feel nothing but pure love and excitement over having contributed to bringing life into the world.
Now that your little one is set to arrive at any moment, you may want to learn about some of the things you can do as a dad to bond with your newborn a bit more.
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1. Read Books to the Baby in the Nursery
Your baby is never too young to listen to you while you read books to him or her. While your baby may not understand what you are saying, he or she can listen to the sound of your voice, which may calm and soothe your little one.
Reading books is a great way to help your baby’s brain development while improving the chances of getting your baby to talk at an earlier age.
2. Sing Songs While Holding the Baby in Your Arms
Another way to make sure your baby is hearing your voice and spending time with you is to sing different songs.
You can sing these songs while you rock your little one or while you are carrying him or her around the room.
Come up with your own songs or use some nursery rhymes and kid-friendly songs that you have heard before. It does not matter what you are singing as long as you are spending that quality time with your newborn.
Babies will often settle off to sleep when being walked around being sung to in dad’s deep voice.
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3. Handle Some of the Feedings
Even if your significant other is planning on breastfeeding, you may still be able to handle some of the feedings.
The breast feedings that take place between a mother and a baby help enhance the bonding experience.
However, if your significant other is willing to pump some of her breastmilk, you can also do some feeds.
When you are feeding your baby with a bottle, you should make sure to make eye contact with your little one and talk to him or her.
It even helps to do some of the night feedings because then you are getting that time alone with your little one while helping your significant other get some much-needed rest.
4. Cuddle With Your Baby While You are Doing Other Things
There are a lot of neat devices for newborns these days, including vibrating seats and rockers.
However, you should not depend on these chairs all the time and should consider holding the baby as much as you can.
Cuddling with your newborn is a great way to build a stronger bond while making sure that your little one feels safe, loved, and completely comfortable.
You can cuddle with your baby while you are sitting on the couch and watching television or while you are having conversations with your loved ones.
Your baby may easily fall asleep on your chest, enjoying the sound of your heart as it beats and the warmth that comes from your body.
5. Be Quick to Help When Your Little One Starts Crying
When your newborn starts to cry, it is usually because the baby needs a diaper change, needs feeding, or needs to feel comforted.
When you hear your newborn crying, try to get there quickly. Newborns are too young to cry it out and should not get ignored when they are crying.
If you are the first to respond and are willing to do what it takes to get your baby to stop crying, whether that includes a diaper change, swaddling in their blanket, and a fresh bottle, you should do it.
Your baby will recognize your face and will grow to realize that you are there to save the day when help is needed.
6. Wear Your Baby
While strollers are convenient at times, another way to travel with your baby while building a closer bond is to wear your baby in a carrier.
You can put the baby in the carrier and wear him or her around while you are doing chores in the house, shopping at the grocery store, or even taking a walk throughout the neighborhood.
Your little one will enjoy that closeness and you will get to spend more time with your baby.
There are plenty of different ways for you to build a strong bond with your newborn as the dad. It is all about spending as much quality time as you possibly can with your little one, whether you are wearing the baby, reading books, singing songs, or even cuddling together while watching some of your favorite shows.
