often than ther father, what then when the father is the stay at home parent? I ask this because I am curious as to how infatns cope with 2 parents, always seeing both and the 2 at the same instance, do they become confused, could they tell the diffrence between male and female? I asked my wife, what do you think goes throught their little developing minds.
We have an absolutely beautiful 11 week old baby girl.
2007-03-05 16:07:34 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
the first definition of "mom" or "dad" is the male or female caretaker. So a 2 yr old might call any female that takes care of them mom.
At that young, I don't think they would be too confused, but I know they don't figure out the difference between boys and girls by then ;-)
It's when they can communicate that the gender roles start to take a more specific duality to them, and you have to wonder, are you going to tell your girl big girls don't cry, or tell a boy it's okay to cry?
References:
Rasing Cain, Reviving Ophelia, both recomended readings for a Ph.D. level psychology course, and great thought for things like that!
2007-03-05 16:19:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
dads are naturally more rough and rough housing mothers are naturally more mothering amongst everything else.
my hubby's job just shut down for 3 weeks and he goes back to work in 2 days but these 3 weeks have made me relize what a huge difference there is between our relationships with our son he is 22 months so hes talking and everything so i think it is that much more obvious then it would be with a 11 week old. while my husband has been home he has gotten more into horse play and picked up many bad habits that mommy would never let him get away with lol although at this age after not so long they have been easy to fix
and another thing is that even before i had my son my hubby noticed a difference in my touch etc my skin and touch both got softer in preparation for the new arrival and once he came he knew my smell and reconized the soft touch that no one else besides the mother can have take a look between the way your wife handles you daughter and they way you do it will be very noticable how different it really is
2007-03-06 00:24:39 · answer #2 · answered by momma 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Congrats on your baby! Yes, infants bond more with their moms, and you also need to consider that yes, they can probably tell who is who based on when you hold the baby, the heartbeat-has been listened to for 9 months by the baby already. This is also where you say things to your baby, when mom hand the baby to daddy, "go see daddy", and visa versa. In the old days, and even now, both parents being involved with their baby is a very good thing. The loving touches, the soft voices, etc. Sharing the responsibility of parenting is excellent. The child is one who benefits from both parents being there. Just no abuse. Oh yes-as for their developing minds, eye contact when you are atlking with your baby helps their brain cells grow and connect better, and more of them, is my understanding. Their minds are like sponges, in the way they are learning everything, sights, sounds, smells, etc. every day. Babies are so cute and adorable. And, they are pretty smart, for all that they are learning all at once. I wish you and your family the best. It sounds like you are a good, strong, healthy, happy family. That is so good Take care.
2007-03-06 01:19:21 · answer #3 · answered by SAK 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There won't be any confusion. Yours will just be another familiar face that they are comfortable with. It's the same with any caregiver. Meaning, they get attached to whomever cares for them and it doesn't necessarily have to be a parent (could be a grandparent or a nanny). It's more about the amount of time a person spends around the baby than what relationship that person has.
Congrats on your baby!
2007-03-06 01:44:57 · answer #4 · answered by rinib2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At first a baby is unawear that they are NOT one with mom, they think they are part of mom. Thus dad would be another person.
They will not be confused. They are born in a world of many people. They can sense the difference between mom and dad, in voice, smell, touch, etc.
It is amazing that babys can sense male and female.
Daddy can be just as nuturing as mom except in the breast feeding area.
It is good for a dad to snuggle and cuddle with the baby.
YOur baby is about the age when she is figureing out that she is seperate from mom.
2007-03-06 00:19:44 · answer #5 · answered by clcalifornia 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Babies are more attached to moms because her heart rate and vocal patterns are familiar after 9 months.
Also dads almost never do half the work even if they are there all the time, they just don't.
They don't distinguish between male and female because it is irrelevant. They can distinguish your faces and smells though. They know who is who.
2007-03-06 00:13:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
of course they know the difference. women soothe differently. the bond is there longer and they need that bond from the moment they come into the world. they learn the bond with their father.
2007-03-06 02:47:03 · answer #7 · answered by tryinthis2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when children are that tiny they bond with the primary caregiver.. usually the one that feeds them and helps them survive and feel safe.
2007-03-06 00:25:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋