It used to be okay for a father to say that he found his baby boring and would wait until he could throw a ball to get involved with him. Not anymore. To help you make sure you measure up as a father, we have outlined bottom line standards for you during your baby’s first three months:
- Get hands-on involved in caring for your baby, beginning at birth. Indications that you are reluctant to do so can automatically make you a third stringer.
- Take advantage of early opportunities to learn the basics: holding, comforting, changing, burping, swaddling, bathing and putting your baby to sleep.
- Select at least one activity – like bathing, that you own. You become the designated bather, and even mom will defer to you on this issue. Swaddling, burping, and the big one – putting your crying baby to sleep can also work.
- Make it just the two of you on a regular basis. Take your baby out for walks in a stroller or baby pouch, rock him in the rocking chair, show him the world starting with all the great stuff in your house.
- THE BIG TEST: 4 hours alone with your baby without mom. Before the end of the third month, you need to get this one under your belt, even if you have to boot mom out. Do it on your own (asking your own mother to come over and help does not count), and you will definitely earn your baby spurs.
Posted by Jon Bishop on 06/15 at 10:32 AM
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