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Kangaroo care tips for millennial dads: Few things to avoid while holding your baby

Kangaroo care tips for millennial dads: Few things to avoid while holding your baby
Millennial fathers have a different outlook on parenting compared to the fathers of the past.

Kangaroo care is not limited to only mothers. Here's a paediatrician guide to successful parenting for all millennial dads out there.

Written by Editorial Team |Published : July 27, 2021 7:41 PM IST

Gone are the days when only mothers were responsible to take care of the babies. Now, millennial fathers are equally participating in nurturing and caring for the baby. New dads are thoroughly discharging their duties when it comes to the newborn. They are involved in every aspect related to the baby pre and post-delivery. They are even providing kangaroo care to the babies in order to strengthen the bond with the babies.

Millennial dads are doing things differently when compared to the generation before them. Millennial fathers have a different outlook compared to the fathers of the past. Millennial dads believe in taking active participation right from before and after the birth of the baby. Millennial fathers have taken the plunge to redefine the traditional concept of household management. You will be surprised to know that they are working towards creating a lifestyle that allows them to have a delicate balance between working and parenting.

Kangaroo care tips for millennial dads

Skin-to-skin contact that is kangaroo care is not limited to only mothers. Now, even dads are opting for it for the sake of their babies. Here are some tips that dads need to follow while making a skin-to-skin contact with their baby.

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To provide kangaroo care to your baby, choose a quiet and comfortable place and place the baby right on your bare chest, to initiate enough skin-to-skin contact. Don't forget to keep your baby bare while practicing this.

Kangaroo care can also be practiced during the first few weeks after birth or whenever the parent feels the need for it. As a dad, you can do this by reserving some time in the day to get used to the duties towards your baby. It can help dads to feel less nervous about the baby. You will be able to learn the baby's hunger cues, makes you calmer and helps you deal with the postpartum struggles in a better way. To make your baby feel comfortable, allow him/her to sleep properly and help to regulate the circadian cycle as well.

Things to keep in mind while holding your baby

Dear millennial dads, avoid using phones and other electronic gadgets while holding your baby so that you can focus on parenting.

  • If you are down with fever and cold, then avoid Kangaroo care till the time you get better.
  • Avoid using perfume or deodorant while making skin-to-skin contact with the baby as it can irritate his/her delicate skin.
  • Ensure that your skin is free of rashes and allergies.
  • Do not smoke or consume alcohol before Kangaroo care.

New dads are proving to be a great support to their better-halves by making them feel comfortable at home, and also helping them tackle their maternity blues. They are aware of the many health benefits of breastfeeding for mother and baby. Fathers are taking up the responsibility of bathing, changing diapers, massaging, and burping their little ones post-feed. Millennial parents are creating memories by documenting their baby's milestones. They blog and create content regarding parenting, recipes for the babies, or even sharing baby product reviews. Fathers are even taking care of the immunization of the babies and ensuring they are fully protected from the vaccine-preventable diseases.

This article is contributed by Dr. Tushar Parikh, Consultant Neonatologist & Paediatrician, Motherhood Hospital, Kharadi, Pune.