Tips for Dad Bonding with Baby in the Womb

By Jo Anne Hubert , Parent Herald Apr 06, 03:00 am

Research shows that the bond between father and baby is equally important as the one between mother and baby. In fact, in a lot of ways, father-baby bonding makes a greater impact on the child's development and the dad's engagement and responsibility in the future. But one question has kept on emerging - how soon can daddy and baby start to bond?

Pregnancy, though most of the time revolves around mother and baby, is actually viewed as a "transition period into fatherhood."

According to a recent study entitled "Playtime with Dad may Improve Children's Self-Control," a father's commitment and relationship to his unborn baby and partner during pregnancy can "significantly impact" and set him on a direction to more daddy on a trajectory of more involvement with his child for the years to come. It further stated that fathers involved during pregnancy tend to take greater responsibility for the baby and, thus, aim for higher employment. This study has also found that dads involved during pregnancy tend to have higher employment and take greater responsibility for the baby as the child grows up. And this is especially true of low-income dads.

Another research also revealed that the more fathers interact with their babies, the higher the latter score on language, literacy, and other academic assessments. What's more, daddy's interaction is even a stronger predictor of these things as compared to mommy's.

Mothers believe this is generally because fathers interact with their babies with 100 percent attention, unlike them, who multitask most of the time. Yet, whatever the reason, the research stressed how fathers should start bonding with their babies even if they are still in the womb.

Dads Must Start Bonding with Baby While Still in the Womb

Babies' inner ears are formed around 18 weeks gestation, and even before their outer ears are formed, they can already hear the sounds inside the uterus, like the swishing of the amniotic fluid and the repetitive sound of their and mommy's heartbeats. At 27 to 29 weeks, they can start hearing sounds outside the womb, like their parents' voices. At full term, their hearing level is about the same as the adults.

Thus, daddies are encouraged to bond with their unborn babies as early as they hear voices outside the womb. They should take advantage of these early moments and start reading, talking, and singing to the baby.

According to the Baby Chick blog, pregnancy is an "excellent time" for fathers to read books to the baby in the belly. Aside from forming a bond, it can be a start of a "habit of healthy interactions."

Fathers are also urged to sing songs and talk with the baby in the womb so that the latter can familiarize their daddy's voice and recognize it once born, a sound that brings a joyful feeling and good memories to the baby subconsciously.

Bonding Must Continue Even After the Baby Is Born

Further, fathers are encouraged to take parenting classes at local hospitals, libraries, or recreation centers. Learn how to do a baby massage or attend basic baby care classes that teach how to change a diaper or give a bath. Learning from these classes is a great way for a first-time dad to gain confidence and fact-based information. The information can also be used as a way to connect and interact with the baby in the womb, making it the topic of conversation.

Another way to learn is to expose oneself to another baby before his own baby arrives. This can be a relative or friend's baby, to whom he can practice on a bit or observe from. Fathers, especially first-timers, should know that confidence is strengthened just by merely holding a baby. The experience will make fathers more relaxed and comfortable when they finally hold their little one for the first time.

The bonding should not end when the baby is born. Instead, the bonding should intensify and flourish.

Fathers should not be shy to sing their babies to sleep. This is not a feminine thing that only moms should do. They should remember that the baby knows their voice in the womb and will have a positive feeling when they get to hear the voice once again once they are out. Sing nursery rhymes while changing diapers or bathing the baby.

Refrain, however, from the baby talk as they do not have "real functional language," which can be imitated by the baby as they grow older. Instead, use high-quality language. Maintain eye-to-eye contact and make sure to pause once in a while to give the baby a chance to respond. When they react with noises, make sure to respond as well, creating an exchange in the conversation. This will be beneficial for the language centers of the brain.