In a message dated 10/21/0 8:10:59 PM, [log in to unmask] writes:

<< Feeding time is Mommy time. Bath time is Daddy time.  Both are important.

Here's your rubber duck. >>

Gail,
I agree with you--this is the tried and true LLL recommendation as well. We
actually never gave our own babies baths--just took them in the shower with
us--lots of skin-to-skin contact with papa this way. But, I think one of the
reasons for this need to contrive "bonding" with dads is the typical Western
habit of isolating babies from their parents at night. When dads spend 8
hours at night with the baby, their is plenty of "bonding" opportunity. The
other reason, IMO, is a sadder statement about our culture and the unmet
needs of adults who have a difficult time allowing infants to have their
needs met. BTW, how is it that mothers can seem to understand that one of the
"advantages" of breastfeeding is "bonding", but then they are able to
extrapolate from this that bottles bond fathers? I tell families that it is
"skin" that bonds parents and babies, not plastic.
Jennifer Tow, IBCLC, CT, USA

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html