| Does your baby smile more widely when dad | | | | Feedback |
| gets home from work or is he the only one who | | | | Babies thrive on positive feedback and |
| can provide consolation when they get cranky? | | | | encouragement. Some dads may give this more |
| Even worse, does your baby swat you away | | | | intensively than mum and it can shape their |
| when dad is around or cry when he hands them | | | | caregiver preference. |
| over? | | | | Soothing |
| Dad favouritism can be galling for mums who wait | | | | Babies feel most comfortable with the parent |
| on their little ones round the clock and can lead to | | | | who's able to soothe them when they are upset. |
| feelings of insecurity, resentment, and rejection. | | | | Dad may have the knack in this department and |
| The good news is temporarily favouring one | | | | dispense the right calming tonic. |
| parent over the other is completely normal, | | | | Personality |
| mums shouldn't see it as a slight on their parenting | | | | A preference for dad may form for inexplicable |
| skills or ability to bond with their babies. | | | | reasons. They may just prefer his company to |
| Babies form attachments for several reasons; | | | | yours. For example, babies can tune into anxiety |
| Feeding | | | | and dad may be a more relaxed companion. |
| The person who feeds them is regarded as the | | | | Self-Fulfilling Prophecy |
| nurturer. Breastfeeding strengthens this | | | | Sometimes mums step back when they realise |
| relationship and babies are more likely to bond | | | | their baby prefers dad. They refer to their child |
| with mum. | | | | as daddy's girl or boy to explain away the |
| Stimulation | | | | preference. This will only serve to widen the |
| If dad is better at entertaining and stimulating | | | | divide and reinforce the preference. |
| them, that's the person they will turn to for | | | | Favouring one parent over another is usually just |
| amusement, even though they spend more time | | | | a passing phase, children's affections can be fickle, |
| with you. Time with dad may be regarded as | | | | one week they may prefer dad, the next mum. |
| "happy hour" for your baby. | | | | |