quick clicks

dads today articles

dads today q&a

message boards

research baby names

prepare a birth plan

content channels

ip channel rss feeds

read birth stories

read parenting stories

recommended books

e-newsletters

safety recalls

ip diaries

ip store

mom of the month

dad of the month

editor's letter

letters to the editor

A Father's Day for First-timers

Connect With Your Newborn

Give your wife permission to wake you up in the middle of the night to help with the feeding of the baby, he says. "You can bring the baby to Mom ... rock the baby to sleep after the feeding. This is a great time to spend with the baby, because there are no distractions in the still of the night. It is just you and the baby."

Hilling also suggests attending a breastfeeding class with your wife. "The more you understand what is involved in breastfeeding a child the more you can become involved in the whole process," he says.

Call and talk with your wife's lactation consultant, and be the middleman, says Hilling. "Keep her posted on the progress your wife is or isn't making," he says. "If your wife is having trouble breastfeeding, you may be able to provide some input that will help the lactation consultant resolve any breastfeeding challenges that Mom might be dealing with."

You've probably already passed around your baby's photo to everyone at the office, and Hilling says that such activities in addition to talking about your baby are a good thing. "This is important for two main reasons," he says. "It tells your employer and coworkers how important family is to you and what a proud dad you are."

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!

Post As:
Enter your comment below:
Title
Comment Text
CAPTCHA
Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.