The role of a father in a baby's life
3rd month, 4th week
Dads are becoming more and more involved in the lives of their babies
and children. It's great for the whole family.
Dads try this:
- Read to your child every night.
- Take charge of your bath time.
- Change and feed the baby. Not just to help, but to be as active as possible.
- Resist the temptation to put the baby back when he cries. You will soon find your own ways to calm them down.
Your child's development this week
Your baby develops his senses, the ability to think and remember,
understand language and communicate.
Your child learns about their world through:
- Pay attention to whether you respond to their screams and smiles in a predictable and consistent way. They know the world is a safe place when they can trust you.
- Explore their most addicting first toy and learn more about what they are capable of.
- Show selective preferences. They may smile at you, smile warily at their grandmother or familiar babysitter, and may also walk away or cry if someone they don't know tries to pick them up.
- Boost their self-esteem when you pay attention to them and have "conversations".
You may be interested in:
- Drooling. Many parents assume that their baby will soon have a new tooth. But
it's a little early for that. Teething usually begins between 4 and 7 months.
Some babies start drooling a lot as early as 4 months old.
- Baby
talk. Mix baby talk with baby talk and gradually discard the baby talk.
Is it too early to start reading to them? No, keep going! Make it a
habit, even if your child doesn't understand the words yet and wants to chew on
the book.
Month 3, week 4 tips
- Keep a diaper bag with a change of clothes, fresh diapers and tissues so that supplies are always at hand.
- If you are traveling with a child, offer a pacifier, breast or bottle during takeoff and landing to avoid pain caused by changes in ear pressure.
- Dads can also have postpartum depression. Talk to your child's pediatrician or your primary care physician or doctor as soon as possible.
- Your child has a stronger grip and greater reach than you think. To avoid burns and cuts, never carry a child with a hot drink or a sharp object.
- Go outside? Keep your child in the shade if possible. Their skin is thinner and more sensitive. Cover them with clothing and a hat, limit their exposure to the sun (especially between 10:00 and 14:00 when the sun is at its strongest), keep them warm, and keep them out of direct sunlight immediately if they show signs of sunburn or dehydration, including irritability, hot flashes, and excessive crying.
- Take time to stay in touch with your partner, even if it's just a few minutes while the baby is sleeping.