Physical and Emotional Availability: Fathers Are of Utmost Importance to Babies

It must be very emotional for a man to become aacquainted with his father's voice, his intonation, and his
father, especially for the first time. So many questionsmoods.
must revolve around a young or not so young man'sAt this stage, a baby care course would be a great
head. "How will I manage my life? Will I be a goodidea for the expectant couple. Fathers who attend
father? Will we be able to provide for our child throughsuch courses take care of the babies better, and as a
his growing years? Will my partner's treatment of meresult, become closer to their children.
change once the baby comes? Will the baby like me?"Supposing the future father passed through the
Every day on earth, millions of men become fathers.pregnancy and childbirth together with his wife in flying
Possibly, only a few of them ever think of baby rearingcolors, what can the couple, as parents, do once the
as a job, and most babies grow into adulthood lookingbaby gets home?
healthy enough. The emotionally healthy children,* The father has to understand and put up with his
however, do possess fathers who take theirpartner's moods. Childbirth is a physical process and a
child-rearing job seriously.woman's body goes through many changes as the
A father's touch--the way he holds his baby, the wayresult of it. Most women suffer from baby blues
he plays with him, cares for him, nurtures him--mattersbecause of hormonal changes. In such a case, positive
greatly for an infant's optimum development. In reverse,relationship with the father of her baby helps a woman
the interaction with his baby aids a father's personalimmensely.
growth by teaching him how to be protective and* The father has to understand and accept that not
nurturing.only his wife but he, too, will experience physical and
A father's attention improves his baby's understanding,psychological discomfort and sleep deprivation.
emotional development, and even intelligence. The* The father has to, not aid but, participate and
baby sees the differences between Mommy, Daddy,become an equal partner in the care and nurturing of
and other people through his interaction with his father.the baby. When he does that, he will start creating an
His father's support helps the baby developemotional connection between himself and his
self-confidence and guides him to explore the worldoffspring.
around him more enthusiastically. Fathers usually* Changing, bathing, dressing, feeding, holding, and
encourage perseverance in their children, more so thanplaying with the baby are means to a good
other people around them. Fathers also are the onescommunication between a father and a child. While
to persuade their children to take risks and overcometalking to an infant, using signs, or even using sign
their initial fears of new projects.language, may help the bonding and the baby's mental
By becoming role models to their children, fathersdevelopment.
promote the concepts of honesty, fairness, gentleness,* If the father and the mother are working and have
and empathy.found an alternative solution to their baby's care,
Parenthood is a scary mission. When a man gets theneither should feel guilty, but instead, they should turn
first news of becoming a father he may feel athe time they spend with the baby into quality time. If a
plethora of emotions: happiness, shock, worry, pride,situation can not be helped, it can be remedied.
panic, fear, excitement, anxiety and a whole lot of* The parents have to stop expecting the continuation
other things. These feelings are understandable andof their social life before the baby was born. On the
acceptable because they are normal. Addressingother hand, they both should make an effort to take
these feelings by talking about them with one's mate, acare of themselves, eat right, and get some rest and
friend, or one's family is a very constructive approach.exercise.
Also, if the father-to-be has had his differences with* If the father has to be away for long periods of time
his own father in the past, it would help his situationbecause of work, laminating large photos of his face
greatly to discuss these problems with a professional,and hanging or placing or them around the baby's crib
if not for himself, then for the sake of his baby.can be considered an alternative. Also playing video
Promising to oneself not to repeat other people'sand audio tapes of the father may help the baby to
mistakes and to be the best father ever may notbecome familiar with the father.
always work perfectly.The idea of "Practice makes perfect" works very well
Being a good father starts when the baby is still in thewith fathers. The more a father pays attention to his
womb. It is hypothesized that the babies do understandbaby, the more capable the father will become, and his
plenty of things before birth. Talking to the baby whilebaby will develop faster and better in his mental,
touching the mother's belly will make the baby getphysical, emotional, and social growth.