I have spoken so much over the last few weeks about mom, baby, grandparents, godparents, support systems, and pretty much everything female, but you may be surprised to know that some men actually feel a little left out during the whole pregnancy journey.
First of all, they have no idea what it's like to be pregnant, feel pregnant or give birth. I have had the pleasure, over the past couple of years, of watching the interesting and beautiful dynamic between a new father and his baby. Most of them aren't really sure what to do or say, but they still want to be involved.
Involving the daddy-to-be can start from the gestational period all the way into delivery, and beyond. Aside from allowing (in some cases demanding) him to come to every doctor's visit, you can encourage a personal relationship with him and the baby belly.
At about 16 weeks, the baby's hearing is developed. Many studies and researchers have suggested not only that a baby can only hear, but that language absorption may actually start 10 weeks prior to delivery. Some people play music, talk and sing to their babies in utero.
It may actually be possible for the baby to show signs of recognizing his or her mother's voice, just after being born. By allowing the daddy to also connect by singing, reading and talking to the baby, while in utero, the father-child bond is set in motion early on.
If the mother decides to breastfeed, some people believe that the father can't connect to the baby during this time. That assumption is made by the belief that feeding equals bonding, which is not the case. You don't have to feed the baby in order to show love and develop the same strong bond as the mother. Bathing, changing diapers, dressing the infant, holding and playing with the baby are all great ways to foster a close bond between the father and his baby. Allowing and empowering him to do this, not only shows your trust in him, it gives you the extra help, support and rest you need when you have just had a baby. It may even strengthen the bond between the mother and father as they engage in their first parenting efforts together. Being a parent is a beautiful thing, it's even better when you can learn, parent and experience having a baby together.
Love & Hugs!
Sources: http://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20130102/babies-learn-womb, http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/your-baby/week-16/ear.aspx.
o Bianca Carter is a certified lactation counselor (CLC), and founder of Bun in the Oven. For more information, give us a call at 601-6977 or visit us at the Harbour Bay Shopping Plaza, next to Starbucks. Follow us on facebook at babybunintheoven, email us at info@babybunintheoven.com, visit us at www.babybunintheoven.com.

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