18 Weeks Pregnant

Beginning to Build Your Bond

As a dad-to-be, you don't have the same connection to your baby as your partner does. If you're looking for a fun way to build a connection with your unborn child, one of the best ways to get started is to talk to or read to your baby.

You might think talking to your partner's belly is a little embarrassing. Don't! Reading to baby can become a very special time between you and your partner; a new form of intimacy and sharing (and some quiet time that will be harder to come by after your baby is born).

But maybe even more importantly, reading to your unborn baby helps you relate to your baby as a person, giving you a head start for when your little one arrives in person.

In addition, your baby can now hear sounds and voices from the womb. This means you have a unique opportunity to help your little baby begin to recognize your own voice. Of course, your baby has a good chance of recognizing your partner's voice because she is with your baby all of the time. Reading, talking, and singing are all ways to share your voice with your baby.

After my twins were born, I stood next to my daughter in the hospital and called her name … and she turned her head to me, confirming all the time I had spent communicating with her while she was in the womb was worth it.