Babywearing Dads Know You Don't Need Boobs To Bond!

Breastfeeding enhances natural bonding between mother and baby. A major factor in that is the release of the "love hormone" oxytocin each time the baby comes to the breast: this hormone is responsible for the milk ejection or let-down reflex, which releases the milk.

However, females don't have exclusive access to oxytocin and research has shown that fathers levels of oxytocin also increase in the newborn period! Touch and connection are the ideal conditions for stimulating this and babywearing is perfect for this.

Skin-to-skin contact is a wonderful way for fathers and other non-breastfeeding caregivers to maximise this. A baby carrier snuggling baby against a bare or partially exposed chest is great for bonding.

Facing in is important for eye contact and for baby to hear the adult heartbeat. Close enough to kiss means nuzzling and sniffing the infant's head will stimulate bonding though touch and smell. All these combine to build attachment.

It is important that newborn babies spend most of their time Close to their breastfeeding mother so she can respond to discreet feeding cues and establish that primary bond. But time to rest is important for postnatal recovery and fathers and other carers can help by taking the baby after a feed and settling them to sleep in a carrier.