The Importance of the Father in the Development of the Baby

In the past, while only the mother's role was emphasized in the development of the baby, the fathers were a little behind in this role sharing. In the old days, being a father was defined as the authority that provided the livelihood of the house and applied the rules of the family in the eyes of the society. Today, the concept of paternity has completely changed and started to be included in the communication within the mother-infant relationship. Regarding the involvement of fathers in this relationship, experts; They state that the father-infant relationship starts later than the mother-baby relationship. As the reason for this, they show that the mother-infant relationship starts when the baby is still in the mother's womb, while the father-infant relationship starts only with physical contact after the birth of the baby. Experts who touched on the role and importance of the father in the development of the baby,

Father's Role in Baby's Development

Experts who evaluate the role of the father in the development of the baby; They express that the emotional bond between mother and baby begins when the baby is still in the mother's womb. It is stated that this bond is getting stronger day by day, and it is only months after the birth of the baby that he begins to direct his attention to the father. While the mother-baby relationship instinctively starts with birth, the father needs physical contact in order to establish this emotional relationship with the baby. The baby's feeling of this emotional presence of the father contributes to the development of a more self-confident personality from infancy. Babies/children who know the presence of the father in the family feel more secure in the face of problems.

The first male role model in their life: Dad

Whether your baby is a girl or a boy, their first male role model is their father. For the first time, baby girls develop their first awareness of the boys they will meet in the future with their fathers. The sexual identities of boys develop for the first time thanks to their fathers. They tend to take their father as a role model and act like him.

Mother Should Support Father Baby Communication

Mothers play an important role in the communication between fathers and their babies. The respect shown by the mother to the father in the home ensures that the baby / child respects the father. The support and sharing mood that the mother receives from the father in baby care and housework also finds its place in the baby's personality. For this reason, mothers should share with fathers at home.

Issues to be Considered in Father-Baby Relationship

The issues to be considered in the father-baby relationship are listed by the experts as follows;

• It is important for the father to meet the health, cleanliness and needs of the baby in his communication with the baby,
• The father should give the baby time and show enough love.
• The father should be a good role model to the baby in all his behaviors,
• As the baby grows, he should accept it as it is, not compare it with other children,
• It should support the effort and positive behavior of the child,
• The child should exhibit patient, calm and constructive behaviors in the face of failures.