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Baby having daddy aversion!

3 replies

Hungry1 · 06/09/2023 08:29

My baby is 9 weeks old and has started to have a real aversion to her dad. If he tries to pick her up or cuddles her she will cry straight away. We’ve even tried him just sitting closely next to us while I’m holding her and she will start to cry.

I feel so sorry for DH because he comes home from work and is excited to spend time with her and can’t because she gets so upset.

Is there anything we can do to help the situation? DH has been involved and stuck in with nappy changing, playtime, bathtime, having her in the carrier and all the things that will support them bonding already.

We’ve discussed trying:

  • leaving her with DH while I leave the room hoping that eventually she will stop crying and will realise there isn’t anything to be worried about.
  • DH spending time alongside me and gradually getting more involved e.g. reading her a story while she’s sitting on me etc.

I feel really uncomfortable just leaving her when she’s getting so upset but also don’t want DH to never get to hold her. It’s not as bad as it is for DH, but I’m also finding it hard never having a break from holding her. As much as I love cuddles with her, I sometimes just want 5 minutes to do a job around the house!

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Strawberryboost · 06/09/2023 08:33

It won’t just be him

it will likely be anyone other than you

Strawberryboost · 06/09/2023 08:35

But yes you absolutely need to leave the room and accept she will cry but soon enough she will settle. Are you EBF?

Hungry1 · 06/09/2023 11:11

Yeah she’s EBF but I’m trying to express bits here and there so he can feed her with a bottle, but again I’m a bit worried that if she screams when she has the bottle it will make a negative association with bottles and will create problems down the line!

It seems to be men she will cry with more so. My mum has held her and she was okay with that but when my dad did she got really upset.

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