5 Ways New Dads Can Bond With Breastfed Babies

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As a mom of two, I know a few things about babies through experience. I breastfed both of my children and while it’s great for the baby, I know how much more challenging it makes bonding between daddy and baby. Fortunately for my hubby and I, we took a class during my first pregnancy that really educated us. Our instructor stressed the many ways that dads could play a major role during childbirth and while caring for a baby to really create a bond. For the most part, we took all of her advice and Mr. Rattles was able to bond with both of the kids even though I breastfed them. My cousin’s wife who is currently pregnant with their first child shared with me over Easter that they’re concerned that the fact that she’s decided to breastfeed their baby will affect bonding between baby and daddy. I assured her that they shouldn’t worry about that and shared these 5 ways new dads can bond with their breastfed babies:

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1. Skin to Skin contact

Skin to Skin contact has become really popular within the last 5 1/2 years since I had my first child. I remember back then we had to convince our nurse to allow my husband to have a few minutes with his first born on his chest right after she was born and I had breastfed her. The great thing about skin to skin contact is that it allows baby to really feel and experience daddy. As daddy talks, baby gets to feel the vibrations and hear the sound of his daddy’s voice.

 

2. Change Diapers

I’ve seen a bunch of cool t-shirts on Pinterest that with stuff like “Real dads change diapers!” and that’s the truth. Many people look past the beauty in the moment of changing a baby. I found that my kids would stare intently at my face as I changed them. It was on the changing table in the morning that I would give the biggest smiles to us. Also, real dads have had their share of blowout diapers and know how to avoid that naval stump of a newborn. The interesting thing about men is that they tend to have a much weaker stomach than us ladies so good diaper disposal is necessary.

 

I was happy to see that my cousin had the Playtex Baby Diaper Genie on his registry because it’s truly a nursery must and perfect for dads who love to change diapers. Dads wouldn’t have to worry about the odor of the dirty diapers and instead enjoy their baby. I had the Diaper Genie for both of my kids and I loved it. There wouldn’t be any need to worry about the smell with the new version of the Diaper Genie because of The Ultimate Odor Lock system features a 7-layer refill bag with double Air-Tite® CLAMP. I love that the designers took into consideration that parents are usually holding the baby while they’re tossing the diaper so the height is ideal so my tall cousin wouldn’t have to bend as he tosses the diaper while holding his baby. The Diaper Genie has a built-in carbon filter which eliminates those bad blowout odors completely and holds up to 270 dirty diapers.

 

I had the Diaper Genie for both of my kids and I loved it. There wouldn’t be any need to worry about the smell with the new version of the Diaper Genie because of The Ultimate Odor Lock system features a 7-layer refill bag with double Air-Tite® CLAMP. I love that the designers took into consideration that parents are usually holding the baby while they’re tossing the diaper so the height is ideal so my tall cousin wouldn’t have to bend as he tosses the diaper while holding his baby. The Diaper Genie has a built-in carbon filter which eliminates those bad blowout odors completely and holds up to 270 dirty diapers.

3. Feed baby

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The fact that mom is nursing doesn’t mean that daddy shouldn’t have the wonderful experience of feeding the baby. I’ve never met a guy who didn’t want to feed his baby, I think that’s just a natural instinct as a parent. Most breastfeeding moms worry that their babies will have nipple confusion, so it’s important to get a really good bottle that’s designed for nursing babies.

 

Those of you who follow me on Snapchat know that The Princess Fairy and I went to Target over the weekend to shop for the baby shower and I purchased the Playtex VentAire Wide Bottle gift set and Playtex Nurser with Drop-Ins Liners for my cousin.

 

The Playtex VentAire Wide Bottles are perfect for babies that are nursed! There is an Anti-Colic Bottom Vent which ensures that there are fewer air bubbles and keeps air at the back of the bottle so that no air mixes with the milk and gets into baby’s tummy.

Playtex nurser

The Most Like Mom® NaturaLatch® Nipple is so similar to mom’s breast that it helps baby to latch on instinctively as well as switching between breast and bottle-feeding. Also, another big concern for babies is their susceptibility to catching ear infections. The angled design of the Playtex VentAire Wide Bottles helps to prevent ear infections.

I’m really excited to gift them these bottles because I know they will make bonding with baby much easier for my cousin.

4. Snuggle mom and baby while mom is nursing

All of my girlfriends who nursed their babies agreed that they loved family snuggles where their guy snuggled them while they nursed the baby. Both baby and mommy feel the protected, warm and filled with love for dad. Babies will realize how much more relaxed mommy is when daddy’s arm is around her and this will make the baby feel relaxed and secure too. This is great because it helps the entire family feel close and loved by each other.

5. Safety

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One of the best assignment for dads to bond with baby is that of safety agent. Most men naturally look out for their children’s safety. Mr. Rattles have always been the car seat guy. He installed both kids car seats and honestly it wasn’t until last summer that I learned how to install my son’s seat myself. That’s 4 years of him doing it and the kids knew that it was his role since he’s done it since they were born. When the kids were newborns he always buckled them in and carried their car seat. He’s also loved taking the kids for walks,  pushing the stroller and sipping his coffee is his thing while baby sleeps or stare at him. This is also perfect mom to get a nap or have some self-care time.

So those are 5 ways that Mr. Rattles was able to bond with the kids as babies.

Is your guy more of a diaper changer or bottle feeder?

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