A little attachment before birth can greatly increase the chances of fathers developing a strong bond with their child when the baby is born. Babies can hear in the womb from around 18 weeks. So, as silly as it may seem, take the time each day to talk, sing, and read to your baby in the womb. This is your opportunity to share your day or even your top 10 albums of all time with them. Why not tell your child about your dreams and aspirations for them, and what you could do together?

All of this can lead to a stronger bond after birth. Make sure you have this important skin-to-skin contact as soon as possible after birth. Tell the midwife that you would like to do this so that it is not forgotten. And this is just the beginning of skin-to-skin contact. This is a great way for dads to continue being close to their baby in the coming months. Skin-to-skin hugs allow your baby to hear your heartbeat and smell your scent, just like a mother does when she is breastfeeding.

Take every opportunity to let them nestle against your chest. This is a great way to feel close and help you both relax. A good way to carve out some time for your father is to find a task that can only be yours. One of the best means for rapprochement is baby massage. This releases floods of the happy hormone oxytocin in both of you, which will help strengthen your bond. Recent studies have also shown that if you suffer from baby blues, massage may be one of the best ways to improve your mood.