Visit our Canada sitePregnancy and childcare are often–and naturally–centred around mothers. After all, it is the mother that carries and bears the child, and then nurses the child for months after it is born. This natural process can sometimes make fathers feel a little uninvolved or like they’re sitting in the sidelines, but nothing is further from the truth. Fathers play a vital role in every step of the process.
During a special Baby Dove sponsored event, Dr. Miguel Villanueva, a general pediatrician trained in Allergy and Clinical Immunology, talked about Baby Care for Daddies, presenting dads with three main points all dads need to keep in mind.
1. Dad’s play important roles in the entire process.
It is first vital for father’s to understand that their role is very important. To begin, they provide unparalleled support to their partners throughout the pregnancy and childbirth process. Following the birth, fathers can also provide the kind of emotional support that mothers need in those first few months.
When fathers take the time to understand and remain involved in the entire process they positively impact the child and their development. Babies quickly learn that they don’t just have one primary caregiver, but two!
2. Fathers can do almost everything mothers can do when it comes to childcare. It benefits children to have both!
Just like mothers, fathers can also wake up to feed a baby, burp a baby, change a baby, bathe a baby, massage a baby, and so on. This can provide mothers some relief from sleepless nights. Not to mention the fact that most mothers and fathers have different parenting styles when it comes to communication, care, and play. Having both parents actively present in all aspects of the child’s care from the beginning, helps give the child an environment that fosters growth and the well-roundedness of the child.
3. There is a difference between a father’s role and a mother’s role for both a daughter and a son.
Mothers are naturally nurturing, and fathers can be too! Research has shown that the active involvement of fathers can benefit children in terms of physical health, improve their cognitive abilities, and allow them to hone better coping mechanisms, which will help them manage life’s challenges better.
Dr. Villanueva ended the session by reminding all dads (and moms!) that dads do matter and have an important role to play. He encourages fathers to maximise their time with their children, making sure the time spent is meaningful and positive.
To learn more about Baby Dove events, stay tuned to Mommy Mundo’s Facebook, Instagram, and website for updates and information!
Leave a Reply