Seven Tips To Help Expecting Fathers Bond With Their Babies
Irving, TX (PRWEB) June 18, 2014 -- Father’s Day has come and gone. However, that doesn’t mean the expecting father should not continue celebrating the anticipated arrival of his new baby. Many expecting couples celebrated their first Father’s Day, while others are waiting to celebrate after the arrival of their baby.
An expecting father sometimes feels left out or struggles to build a connection with his developing baby during the pregnancy. The expecting mother is often ahead of her partner in the bonding process. She can feel the baby kicking and moving, and she has a daily reminder of the miracle going on inside her.
There are a number of things expecting fathers can do to enhance the pregnancy experience, foster a bond with their babies, and score points with the expecting mothers. Here are some quick steps for having a better expecting father experience:
Attend Prenatal Care and Ultrasound Appointments. These appointments will provide a window into the womb where fathers can see their growing babies. The Doppler will also let him hear the baby’s heartbeat. These alone can create an instant bond, and they make some fathers melt.
Participate in Birthing or Lamaze Classes. Taking this step will help the mother feel supported while also helping the new father feel more prepared for the process. This is a great way to connect with both the mother and baby.
Help the Expecting Mother Nest. The nesting process is considered important for the mother. However, there is no reason to exclude the father from this process. Helping the mother prepare the nursery, picking out clothes, and painting the walls is not only important for the sake of the mother, it also provides the father with an opportunity to enjoy the exciting process of preparing the home for their new baby as well.
Count the Kicks. An expecting mom is supposed to track her baby’s movements. The father can help keep track of a “kick-count” as the baby starts growing and moving around. This can be a fun project that allows the father to touch his baby as he feels for the kick.
Capture Pregnancy Photo. Taking family portraits with the expecting mother is a great way for an expecting father to foster bonding with both mom and baby. Couples can strategically plan complementary pictures that reflect the family before and after the baby arrives. It creates a memento for the expecting family and provides a bonding moment with the mother.
Write a letter to the Baby. A father can write a letter or keep a journal throughout the pregnancy experience. This is a great way to record memories, feelings, hopes, and dreams. This is something to keep and share with the baby years later, such as at a milestone birthday or a wedding.
Follow the Pregnancy Journey – The American Pregnancy Association provides a week by week newsletter for expecting parents. Expecting fathers should subscribe to the newsletter along with their partners to discover the pregnancy changes and milestones week by week. This also helps expecting fathers feel more prepared for the pregnancy and the birth experience.
The website, American Pregnancy Association, is a great place for expecting moms to find access to education, support and access to resources in their local communities. The American Pregnancy Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to promoting pregnancy wellness through education, advocacy, and community awareness.
Brad Imler, American Pregnancy Association, http://americanpregnancy.org, +1 972-550-0140, [email protected]
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