Why fathers should bond with their infants from birth

For long, many people in society have viewed bonding as primarily a mother’s responsibility, but fathers play an equally vital role in fostering emotional security and social well-being from the start of a baby’s life. Experts say that the bonding period between a father and his infant is more than a tender moment; it is a foundation that shapes a child’s entire future. Naomi Mwangi, a nurse and lactation manager at Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, says that bonding begins even before birth, perinatally, while the baby is still in the womb, meaning the connection parents cultivate starts early. Naomi says: “Immediately following birth, skin-to-skin contact is crucial by placing the baby on the mother’s or father’s chest. This intimate contact triggers a flow of neurological and hormonal responses that reinforce the newborn’s sense of safety.”