Paternal bond

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Spending time with the child strengthens the bond.

The paternal bond is typically the relationship between a father and his child. While paternity is usually established it may also occur between a man and a younger person, commonly in adoption, without the two being related to each other.

[edit] Fatherhood

The father of a child can develop the bond during the pregnancy of his partner, feeling attachment to the unborn child. Research indicates that this may have some biological basis. Statistics show that fathers' levels of testosterone tend to decline several months before the birth of the child (due, perhaps, to an inverse pheromonal chemical produced by the mother during pregnancy). Since high testosterone levels seem to encourage more aggressive behaviour, low levels may enhance the ability to develop a new relationship bond (for example, with the child).

Fathers find many ways to bond with their children, such as soothing, consoling, feeding (expressed breast milk, infant formula or solids), bathing, dressing, playing, and cuddling the sleeping baby. Carrying the infant in a sling or backpack or pushing them in a baby transport can also go towards building the bond. Fathers can also establish their role in the baby's bedtime routine.