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Home › Articles › New Dads/Newborn Issues › A Father's Day for First-timers

A Father's Day for First-timers

Connect With Your Newborn

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The second reason is so your employer knows how important it is for you to spend time with your baby. When you ask your boss for the afternoon or morning off to take your baby to the doctor, which Hilling suggests as another great way to bond with your baby, your boss will understand. "You need to let your employer know how important it is for you to do this and that taking time to attend a doctor's appointment will not affect your performance at work," he says.

Consider taking your baby to the doctor alone – without Mom. "Let your wife know that you'd like to have this time alone with the baby," says Hilling. A mom may not recognize or be aware of how much time she spends with the baby and how little time and opportunities a dad has to be with the baby. "Assure her that it is OK to relinquish the baby in your care and that you can be trusted," he says.

And don't forget the simpler tasks: changing diapers, bathing, feeding, taking walks, singing. "Each second, minute you spend with the baby will help strengthen your bond with the baby," says Hilling. "This may all sound simplistic, and it is. However, how to bond and spend time with the baby is not the real issue. It's about making the time."

Don't Forget Mom!
While you're taking time to bond with your new little bundle of joy, don't forget about your wife! Here are some tips from Hilling on connecting with your wife throughout pregnancy and beyond:

  • Call your wife from work occasionally. Offer her words of comfort or just have a conversation with her. Remind her how excited you feel for her and you in becoming/being parents.
  • Give her permission to call you at work. She may not call you but the fact that she knows she has your permission will give her great comfort in knowing that you still love her and think about her.
  • Send your wife a "Love You" or "Mother's Day" card in the mail, either to your house or her place of work. You could also ask relatives and friends to send your wife a "Mother's Day" card.
  • Take your wife out for a lunch date.
  • Show up to her place of work with a bouquet of flowers.
  • Attend the prenatal appointments with her. Arrange this ahead of time with your employer.
  • Give her massages.
  • Say the words "I love you."


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