Fathers often have a trickier time bonding with their children than mothers. Because they participate in the delivery only second-hand, and because they may not experience as much time with the newborn because of work demands, they're sometimes slow to complete the bonding experience. Making things worse, many fathers describe feeling like a third wheel after the baby comes. The mother and child seem so close in the nursery that dads often become shy and reluctant to participate. Yet bonding with the child early is important, experts say, to help the child feel nurtured from both parents.Studies show the single most important step fathers can take in bonding with their child is to actively get involved whenever possible. That's not to suggest overpowering the mother, but fathers who participate in daily activities with their children will, like the mothers, quickly come to feel the parental instinct flourishing. Get to know baby talk...Fathers grow attached to babies by learning to recognize their wants and needs. Babies give clear signals to indicate hunger, fatigue, companionship, and bathroom needs. Learning to recognize them gives fathers a chance to feel connected to the baby at the baby's level....Then talk, talk, talk, yourself. A baby loves to hear the sound of the father's voice, whether it's reading a storybook, reading newspaper headlines, or just chatting away. For the fathers, it's an opportunity to see the baby not as this huge new presence in the house but as a person who can be approached and charmed.Spend time hanging out. A big part of bonding involves including the baby in everyday activities. Keeping the baby around while the game is on, while reading the newspaper or surfing the net, or just hanging out in the afternoon all provide ample bonding potential. The trick, experts say, is not to feel as if special time is needed for the baby but that the baby can become a part of the father's life and participate in it. Help out with diaper changesSound fun, doesn't it? But helping change baby as needed not only earns the daddy extra graces with Mommy, but will also help strengthen the father/child bond and help fathers to see the baby as a child. Getting to touch, see and - yes - smell how the baby's a new little person that needs help creates feelings of responsibility and affection. It's the nitty gritty of baby care, no doubt about it. But it's also a guaranteed triple in the happy family sweepstakes.Do Some ExercisesBabies love motion, especially exercise. Once the baby's neck strengthens enough to support the weight of the head, fathers can use their child for all manner of exercises. The bench press is one favorite activity - it's like a playground ride for the child. Using the baby as free weights for bicep curling is also fun. When the baby is old enough to sit up, daddies can bounce them on their knees. Help out with little illnessesIt's a sad but true fact that newborns and babies often get routinely sick with little fevers, hay fever, and common colds. Nursing the baby through these rough patches helps the father see the child as something to be protected and developed. It also allows them to experience first hand the joy and relief that comes the instant baby begins to feel better.
About the Author: Michael Kabel is a Senior Writer for Corner Stork baby Gifts at http://www.cornerstorkbabygifts.com. Corner Stork Baby Gifts carries a complete selection of unique baby gifts, personalized baby gifts, and baby gift accessories that are perfect for fathers and children just getting to know each other. We also carry baby shower favors and baby shower gifts, too. Visit them online at http://www.cornerstorkbabygifts.com.