Daddy Time: What to do if you think your child needs more daddy time

You might feel overwhelmed at first, but fathers are just as good as mothers at recognising and responding to the needs of their newborns.1

By spending more time  with them, you  will  understand their emerging abilities better. Fathers who spend less time  with their little ones often underestimate or overestimate the developmental progress. This makes your child less motivated to interact with you in the future.2

By spending more time with your little one, you are sending them a message that they are important thus boosting their self -esteem.2

By having a close relationship with your child, you will provide them with an opportunity of self-respect and self-acceptance, thus forestalling childhood problems.2

By spending more time with the child, fathers can instil positive values.2

Here are some tips for getting involved with your baby. 1

• Dressing, playing, bathing, nappy-changing are excellent ways to bond with your baby.
• When things get demanding, do not hand over the baby to the mother. You too will build the confidence and the required skill eventually.
• It is very important to spend alone time with the baby. It not only increases strong bong between the two but also provides a much-needed break to the mother.
• Show affection to the baby; this will stimulate their brain development.
• Talking to the baby will help build language and communication skills.
• Make some time to play with the baby
  
  • Sing childhood rhymes - ‘Twinkle, Twinkle’ and ‘Old Macdonald’.
  • Try peek-a-boo – this will lay the foundations for your baby’s language, thinking, motor skills, and social and emotional development.

If you treat fathering as a task or job, you will definitely not enjoy the experience. It is your responsibility as a parent is to nurture your child and help them reach their fullest potential.2