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Dad's Turn
Bonding, Learning and Making Way for Baby
By Tracy McGinnis
"Rookies," or new dads, are experiencing boot camp for the first time. The classes are open to all fathers free of charge and are currently available in more than 200 communities in 39 states, the military and Japan. Some locations conduct boot camp in Spanish. There are more than 300 trained coaches and more than 120,000 veterans that continue to support and help expand the program.
Veteran father Dink Nolen participated as a dad before becoming a facilitator. Now an adoptive father, he's currently working on a program for adoptive fathers. "Not only do these show ways that dads can become involved and grow closer to Baby, but they also provide Mom with some much needed breaks and the feeling that she is part of a team in raising this family," says Nolen.
Nolan provides the following tips for new dads or dads-to-be:
- Scented Dad: Dads will be recognized and remembered by Baby according to their scent, which is why Nolen recommends using the same soap, lotion and cologne for the first few months.
- Skin-to-Skin Contact: Dad can bond with Baby by giving baths, changing diapers or holding a diaper-clad infant against his bare chest to experience the skin-to-skin contact mothers often share through breastfeeding.
- Burp Your Baby: This is a great bonding trick that also helps relieve Baby's gas: dads can gently cycle or pump baby's legs.
- Rock and Chew Gum: Nolen can't explain why but says rocking an infant while Dad chews gum calms Baby and sets the mood for bonding.
- The "Dad Gesture": Nolen says to develop a specific gesture that's different from Mom's. This could be touching cheeks before bedtime, kisses or ruffling of hair.
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