The Father’s Role in the Contemporary Family: The Changing Role of Caregiver for Children

By Sharon Rose 

      Many fathers are concerned that they won't know how to care for their newborn baby, or be gentle enough. Some men may think they should wait until the baby gets older and bigger before they start to handle them. However, fathers should start handling the baby as soon as the baby enters the world. Research shows that men have a hormonal response to becoming a father and nature takes over to guide them. That does not mean that fathers have no need to learn parental skills that will greatly enhance parenting. There is much to learn. What it does mean is, with time and practice, a father will become more confident in taking care of the baby. It will become natural for the father. The more time a father spends holding his baby the more skillful and comfortable at caring for the baby he will become. Every day a father spends involved, showing affection, and bonding with his baby, the stronger the paternal instincts will become. 

Tips on Bonding with Baby for Dads:

1. Give Baby a bottle.  If Mom is breastfeeding, Dad can give the water bottle.  As Baby takes the bottle he also learns to recognize your face.

2. Diaper duty can be shared with Mom, and will be a big help. Some Dads may need instructions and practice on how to change a diaper, but it will soon come easy. We all had to learn!

3. Wear your baby. Use a sling or pouch that fits in the front of you and carry Baby around as you do chores at home, etc.  Baby will be comforted by the feeling of being close to you. 

4. Massage Baby with lotion after a bath or soothe Baby when fussy.

5. Give Baby a bath. You’ll both enjoy this!

6. Sing a lullaby. Baby won't be critical of the tune you carry and will be soothed by a gentle, lulling voice.

7. Read a good book to Baby. At any age, Baby will like hearing the sound of your voice, even before they can understand the content of the story.

8. Take a walk with Baby in the stroller, when weather permits. Talk to your baby as you walk along and enjoy the exercise for yourself. 

9.  Make Daddy play-time a part of Baby’s daily schedule.  Keep it at about the same time each day, such as, when you first arrive home from work.  Make funny faces and watch Baby giggle, play peek-a-boo, act-out traditional children’s rhymes, such as Pat-A-Cake and Itsy-Bitsy Spider.  Baby will love this!

10.  Be a part of Baby’s health care needs.  Go to well-baby appointments.  Take a sick day (full or half) and stay home to take care of Baby when he is sick.     

     The changing roles of the caregiver for the children under age 15 in the family have caused many fathers to find their nurturing side and mothers to take on more of a disciplinarian, authoritative role. Parents supporting one another is needed and necessary. However, we must remember how important keeping the balance of the mother-father role is within the family. 

Research Source: http://money.cnn.com/2012/04/30/pf/stay-at-home-dad/index.htm

www.parentswanttoknow101.blogspot.com/bondingtimeforbabyanddad

Educational Resources for Dads: www.fatherhood.gov

www.fatherhood.org; www.parentswanttoknow101.blogspot.com.

www.facebook.com/parentswanttoknow101

Copyright, The Father’s Role in the Contemporary Family: The Changing Role of Caregiver for Children, Sharon Rose, Parents Want to Know 101, June 11, 2013; updated, July 29, 2014; updated, April 1, 2019.  All rights reserved.