For example, babies usually form their first strong attachments to fathers and mothers during the same months, even when one parent works full time and the other is home with the baby. From your baby s point of view, the important thing is to have quality care all day long, whether at home or elsewhere, whether with a parent or a childcare provider. For example, some fathers spend almost no time playing with their babies. Research shows that these infants would benefit from more stimulation and care from their fathers. These uninvolved fathers may have the old-fashioned belief that babies are women s business.
Researchers believe babies benefit from having a close relationship with more than one person.
No parent should think she or he must be with a baby all day every day. This is hard on you and may not be best for your baby. My Baby Called the Day Care Teacher Mama or Papa Mothers who use full-time day care sometimes worry that their baby will feel more love for the child care provider. When your baby calls another woman mama or another man papa, you may feel hurt, jealous, guilty or just confused. Research shows that infants in day care do form strong bonds of love with their caregivers.