How for a New Dad to Be Involved with a Breast-Fed Baby

For new fathers it is relatively easy to be involved with a formula fed baby because you can help with the feedings, but breast-fed dads have a built in disadvantage. After a little while you will be able to bottle feed when some reserves of breast pumping have been built up, but this could take a while. So if you are a father that wants to be involved and have a bond with your new baby you need to be a little creative.

Here are a few ways to build the bond with your new baby in spite of breast feeding:

1. The very best way to feel that you are connecting and making a difference to your new baby is to hold him or her when he or she cries. Most of the time new babies cry because they are hungry, but if feeding time just past and it is 2am and they are awake this is your time. Walk through the house and sing or talk to your baby to make a good connection. Don't let your wife do it simply because she can and you are tired, get up and make the connection.
2. Change diapers! This is not a very popular thing to do for a lot of fathers, but it is one of the few things a new dad can do for a breast-fed baby. Your baby is vulnerable at this point and desperately needs the help of a loving adult and you could be that person. Don't get grossed out by baby diapers, you know everything that has gone into making it and it is not that bad. You can build a good bond by changing all the diapers you can.
3. If it is feeding time during the night don't just assume that your wife should get up and get the baby because she is breast-fed. Get up and get your baby, change his or her diaper and talk to him or her a little bit to make a connection. Hold your baby close and bring him or her to your wife for the feeding. In a way, you have made a connection by bringing the food to him or her.

Fathers of breast-fed babies have the cards stacked against them when it comes to making a good connection with a new baby. Most fathers can still make this connection if they are looking for it and want it to be there. Don't let your connection go simply because you didn't want to get up in the middle of the night or change a dirty diaper.