Baby Basics for New Dads, Part 2

In our first installment Baby Basics for Dads, Part One, we covered a number of topics, including picking up and carrying your baby, swaddling, changing diapers, as well as caring for the umbilical cord and circumcision site. But wait, there's more!

A growing body of research is confirming what many families already know: fathers play a critical role in a child's life. A 2001 report published in the Review of General Psychology asserts that a nurturing father is as important as a loving mother to a child's development. "In some studies, father love was actually a better predictor than mother love for certain outcomes," states the report. "These include delinquency and conduct problems, substance abuse, and overall mental health and well being."

According to Armin Brott, author of The New Father: A Dad's Guide to the First Year, boys with caring, attentive fathers tend to be more empathic and have better control over their aggression. Girls whose fathers are involved with their lives are more assertive, have better self-esteem, and are less likely to become teen mothers.

So, get involved, Dad! Here are some everyday activities you can learn how to do and spend time with Baby, too.