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A Father's Day for First-timers

Connect With Your Newborn

New fathers, especially first-timers, may not yet feel sure in the role of Dad – or even feel paternal. To help you adjust to your new job – one of the most important of your life – celebrate this Father's Day by taking a few extra moments to bond with the new life that you helped create.

According to Hogan Hilling, author of The Man Who Would Be Dad (Capital Books), it's important to understand the bonding process first. "It is not just something that happens," he says. "You are building a relationship, and bonding will take time. Remember that your wife had a nine-month head start and a physiological advantage – she carried the baby."

When Mom breastfeeds the new baby, many dads feel left out of the loop, as they don't feel they can share in that special experience. But according to Hilling, you can. "Although you can't breastfeed, there are other ways you can help in the process," he says. "First, let your wife know how you feel and that you would like to play a part in breastfeeding the baby. This way she will be more apt to relinquish the care of the baby to you. Oftentimes moms forget that dads would also like time to bond with the baby during the breastfeeding process."

Want to see more?

• Bonding for Life: Developing That Special Connection With Your Baby
• Emotional Connections: Start the Bonding Process at Day One
• Daddy Play With Me!
• Talk about it!

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