How dads can bond with their baby

It can be hard as a father trying to nustle in on the bond that has already been forming between your partner and baby over the last 9 months. But, you don't need to feel left out, the first few months is an important time for both of you.

0-6 months

• Your partner and your newborn started bonding long before birth. Research shows babies can hear voices with low frequencies very well from inside the womb, so all those dad-to-bump conversations are already making an impact!

• Touch is the first form of communication your little one will understand. And skin-to-skin contact is vital between your baby and her dad in the first few days of her life. She already recognises your feel and smell, and now it’s your partner’s turn. Encourage him to bathe her – it’s a great way to develop his confidence and reinforce their bond and studies show that babies who are bathed regularly by their dads are more likely to make lasting friendships in later life.

• Who say’s dads can’t feed their babies’ breast milk? Mums who feel their partner is supportive of breastfeeding are overwhelming more likely to feed their baby for longer – those cups of tea, snacks and pats on the back he offers you really do make a difference!

 
6-12 months

• You are undoubtedly your baby’s main source of comfort and reassurance, with your partner coming a very close second. You are her favourite people in the whole world and no-one can reassure or placate her quite as well as mum and dad.

• Babies love a joker, and your partner is your little one’s favourite source of amusement. At around eight months, your baby’s sense of humour is really starting to develop. Studies show that dads tend to initiate more physical and unpredictable play than mums, and when your partner tickles her, and blows raspberries on her tummy it will have her in fits of giggles. By 10 months she’ll love nothing more than a good old game of peek-a-boo with her favourite playmate – dad.

• At around a year old, your baby might utter her first words. Don’t be surprised if that word is ‘dad’ – and if it is, be prepared to watch your partner brim with pride! Actually ‘mama’ is harder for your baby to pronounce than ‘dada’ – but you might want to keep that to yourself for now!

12-18 months

• By around 16 months your baby will probably have taken her first tentative steps. Now your partner can help her to explore the world and while she’s unsteady on her feet she will rely on him for support, a sure sign of her trust. Don’t be surprised if the football makes it’s first appearance around now too!

• By 18 months your toddler will really start to show affection towards others, but she’s very fickle, so don’t be surprised if she showers dad with cuddles and kisses one minute, but doesn’t want to be touched the next. Make sure he shows her lots of love regardless, she’ll soon learn to follow his lead.

18 months

• While your little one can recognise other voices, daddy’s remains a strong influence in her life. Toddlers bond as easily with their fathers as their mothers, even if dads are working long hours.

Preschoolers who spend lots of time playing with their fathers are more sociable by the time they go to nursery, so encourage regular daddy-only playtime.

• Now is the perfect time for your partner to cement his relationship with your little one – by playing and learning together and showing her lots of affection.

• By the time your toddler is two-years old, she’ll tell her daddy just how much she loves him. Watching them huddled together, reading her favourite story, it’s clear to see she’s a real daddy’s girl!