what fits for that man. “For some, it may be feeling the baby. For others, it may be attending the doctor and ultrasound appointments. Praying for the baby, participating in naming the baby, setting up the nursery, or reading/singing to the babies are further tasks that may deepen the connection to a relationship with the child before it is born. It’s up to Dad which way he wants to take on bonding with his child,” she says. Being a Team Player Dads may ask themselves how they can be there for their partner. Rauber adds that this is a complicated time for the Mom. She will be wanting to feel that she is seen and heard. She says, “Join with her in that experience even though it may be hard to tolerate. Prepare yourself to be a teammate in the
postpartum period. She will need to rest to recover, and one of the biggest ways to support her is to encourage her to take breaks and get rest. Finally, Dad may really feel left out once the baby is born. Even holding a baby may be uncomfortable for some. Rauber adds it is common for them to question how to bond with their baby after birth. It may take some patience, but it is very possible. She says, “It’s never too early to talk to the baby, read or sing to the baby, too. Babies also learn to self-regulate the more dad is involved in early parenting.” Babies don’t come with a manual and being nervous about handling a baby, getting anxious when babies cry and not knowing what to do are all normal things for Dads. Rauber says, “This is a new experience and that can be
met with complicated emotions. Still, change the diaper. Rock the baby. Get involved. The more you learn that you can do early soothing, the more likely you will continue to build confidence that you can do this fatherhood thing, and the whole family will benefit Pregnancy causes Mom’s hormones to go haywire, Rauber cautions, but Dad can also get the blues. She says, “Dads experiencing emotional difficulties after babies are born are more common than we think, so it’s very important for Dad to also seek support if he is concerned about the way he feels. Communication is the real key. Working together will make the whole experience memorable and wonderful! because of that.” Getting the Blues
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SPRING 2024 | PINK&BLUE
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