1.Skin to skin
Baby is happiest when connecting skin-to-skin with mom or dad. His temperature, heart, and breathing rates will be more consistent, and his blood sugar more stable. It also allows baby to get familiar with your scent and your heartbeat becomes a soothing beat for the little one. Spend time bonding, lounge around in your boxers and let baby rest on your chest while you're watching TV (just be sure it's not the playoffs — you don't want to startle the baby!).
2.Play games
Make silly faces, play peek-a-boo, sing songs, for baby. Set aside regular time for baby, whether it's after work or in the morning. Appoint a special time that's just for you and the little one, so as baby grows, this special bonding time becomes part of the daily routine.
3. Glow time
Glow time is an important concept that I introduce through my book, Mama Glow: A Hip Guide to Your Fabulous Abundant Pregnancy. It's all about taking personal time to lavish yourself and shine! While mom is taking some alone time to shine and do what she loves, you can have glow time with your baby. This could be a bath time ritual where you shut off phones and dim the lights and enjoy a nice soak with baby, or baby massage using a nice jojoba oil or calendula baby cream to rub your little one with soothing hands- relaxing baby and preparing for bedtime so you and mom can have some glow time of your own. Or hit the streets a nice walk outside or a mild hike with baby in a carrier, babies love the stimulation of being outside in the comfort of your arms.
4.Take charge
Mom may like things done a certain way and may even school you on how to handle certain tasks when it comes to baby like how to warm a bottle, change a diaper, comfort your baby, etc. But you will develop your own way of doing these things. Rather than let mom step in and "correct you" and show you repeatedly how to do it her way, just keep practicing and you will learn your own technique and shortcuts for newborn care. Communicating that you are fine with handling baby and taking the initiative without having to be asked is always great too. It gives you more one-on-one time with baby too.
5.Slay your checklists
Mom will have a list of things that need to get done and feel overwhelmed at the thought of trying to get through the list. Ask her to delegate some of those tasks to you so you can complete them. Men like to "fix" things and get things done, be productive, etc. When you are able to satisfy her needs and help reduce her stress load by checking off some of her to-do-list she will be thrilled- and when mom is happy, everyone is happy. This also satisfies your desire to feel needed, believe me, she needs and wants you around, although she may be madly in love with a new man who's 7 pounds 11 ounces and 20 inches long.
6.Keep it movin'
Babies are used to movement because of moms' hips moving when they were still in the womb. They feel soothed by movement and grow to have fun with it as well. Whether you're doing baby bench presses with your infant, or daddy dance party getting baby to giggle while you're moving him around is great. Movement also helps increase baby's muscle tone, and trains baby's proprioceptors — his sense of self in relation to space.
7.Find dad posse
Find other cool dads who share a similar philosophy, have kids the same age or just provide a listening ear. You may just need to bond with other men who are going through what you are. Having a sense of community and knowing that you are not alone is key. Being a new father can be an isolating experience but certainly doesn't have to be.
Whether you are a new dad or a veteran in the baby game, it's always good to learn some new tips to sharpen your skills, build your confidence, and boost your bond with baby.
