November 19, 2019
The exact moment a father bonds with his child can differ massively from dad to dad. For some, it might be the first time they feel their unborn baby kick – or the moment their newborn is placed in their arms. For others, it happens a little later, a few months down the line when they’ve got to grips with their new role. 
I Sobbed Uncontrollably: The Moment Dads Truly Bonded With Their Kids
HuffPost UK wanted to speak to fathers about that moment. These dads didn’t spend nine months carrying a baby in their belly. They didn’t go through the – often painful – experience of giving birth (although we’ve previously spoken to a dad who did). What they did all describe is falling head over heels in love. Here they tell us when and how it happened.‘We forgot everything else about the world’Han-Son Lee, 35, creator of DaddiLife“The bond was not instant with me. I didn’t see my son and fall head over heels at first sight. It built over time. I’ve always loved him, of course, but that sense of a true bond, I’d say, was the first time we went out just by ourselves. He was a few months old, crawling. Everything up to that point had been really just making sure he was fed, bathed, and changed – it felt like all the functional stuff was the priority. But the first time we went to a park, just the two of us, and we forgot everything else about the world and had a grand old play – was joyous. 
“It was wonderful. Like discovering a new best friend, but one you have to cook, clean and dress, too! I didn’t see it coming. I’d got myself into a mindset of being very particular about making sure all his needs were met. He’s five now, and he’s changed my life –  I didn’t imagine the transformative effect fatherhood would have on me.”‘I sobbed uncontrollably, thinking of my own dad’Cathal Morrow, 54, JOB“My eldest son was born in Spain. His mum had a caesarean and I wasn’t allowed in the room, so I waited outside. The midwife brought my son out and then left me alone with him. I just looked at him in his little cot, and I was completely overwhelmed with emotion. I sobbed uncontrollably and thought of my dad, who had died a few years before, and phoned my mum. I sobbed uncontrollably when I spoke to her, too. 
“My youngest son was born in London. When I first held him, I felt he had this incredible energy, a real force. It was the same hospital that my father had died in, so I had this wonderful sense of the circle of life. The room was full of doctors and nurses, and I cried non-stop the second time around, too. I adore being a dad, each stage is special in different ways. They’re 15 and 13 now and I just love being with them.”‘Bonding isn’t a textbook experience, it’s messy’John Adams, 43, author of Dad Blog UK“There seems to be this idea that men don’t bond with their children until after the mother, but that wasn’t the case for me. I don’t know if I saw it coming, but I was worried it wouldn’t happen. It can be confusing for guys because you hear so much about the importance of the mother-baby bond and you’re conditioned to think that should take precedence.
“When Helen (now 10) was born, the midwife wrapped her in a blanket and placed her in my arms and walked off, leaving me with my child for 45 minutes while my wife received medical attention. At that point I knew I had become a dad and, along with mum, was responsible for this young infant. I also bonded very quickly with my second child, Izzy, who is now seven. 
“I felt a complete mix of emotions, both times. I felt unconditional love for my children, concern I wasn’t going to be a good enough father, a desire to protect my kids and also utter confusion because I didn’t know what I was doing! Bonding isn’t some kind of textbook experience, it’s messy.”‘After losing my sight, holding my son in my arms was amazing’Amit Patel, 39“Fatherhood has changed my life for the better. I lost my sight six years ago, so despite attending the antenatal appointments with my wife and hearing they baby’s heartbeat, I wasn’t able to see the scans. It was only when he was finally born and I got to physically hold him that it felt real. I really bonded in that moment I first held him in my arms, three years ago.
“It was truly overwhelming. I felt such a rush of love, of pride and joy. It was the most blissful moment, too – I didn’t want to let go. The one thing that struck me when I held him was my determination that my blindness wasn’t going to stop me from being a hands-on dad.
“Holding your newborn child in your arms for the first time is the moment everything changes. I was so worried before my son was born, unsure how I would cope, whether I would be able to look after the baby and do all the things that I wanted to do as a father. But I can honestly say I’ve never been happier, even being knee-deep in nappies and sleepless nights.”‘I felt a bond before they were even born’Joe Clapson, 37“I can honestly say that I felt a bond with both of my children while they were not yet born, in my wife’s belly. While in-utero both babies responded to me, talking with little kicks and punches which could be seen and felt. 
“With my first child, it was the most incredible moment of my life to meet this new human after nine months of ‘chats’. When she looked at me after hearing my voice just after she was born, I was overwhelmed with emotion. The same happened for the second – but I was more prepared! 
“I’d expected to have this immediate strong bond with my kids because I’ve always loved being around children and was always set on being a dad. My girls are aged two and they are the best things to happen to me.”Related... Meet The Young Black Dads Smashing Stereotypes: 'We're Like Daddy Daycare' 7 Things A Trans Dad Who Gave Birth To His Son Wants You To Know How To Take A Newborn Baby To The Pub And Handle The Nappy Changes (And Naysayers)
Latest News
Top news around the world
Academy Awards

‘Oppenheimer’ Reigns at Oscars With Seven Wins, Including Best Picture and Director

Get the latest news about the 2024 Oscars, including nominations, winners, predictions and red carpet fashion at 96th Academy Awards

Around the World

Celebrity News

> Latest News in Media

Watch It
Millie Bobby Brown & Jake Bongiovi Celebrate “Three Years of Bliss” Ahead of Wedding
March 24, 2024
C4Ehegcq1-A
Kate Middleton & Prince William "Enormously Touched" by Public Support
March 24, 2024
s8fig-RCjFc
Gisele Bündchen Denies Cheating on Ex-Husband Tom Brady
March 23, 2024
_SpRMagA8BM
Eminem, 50 Cent & Snoop Dogg Present Dr. Dre with a Star on the Walk of Fame
March 19, 2024
4bNLs1hxVp8
Opening Remarks for the Variety Summit October 20th, 2023 Jay Penske
March 18, 2024
c6Z707iLq8E
'Everybody Was S----ing Their Pants': Nick Thune Jokes About Being Born in the '70s and Fatherhood
March 16, 2024
mm7Baf6o2d8
Gunna Says Tour Will Up Creativity in Rap, Endorses Flo Milli | TMZ
March 22, 2024
QfMU24fw-Qo
Reporter Taylor Lorenz Says Palace Botched Kate Cancer News Rollout | TMZ Live
March 22, 2024
o43ZucdiyEo
Riley Strain's Body Found After Going Missing in Nashville 2 Weeks Ago | TMZ NOW
March 22, 2024
1m1zM-4_Cs8
Kyle Richards hasn’t spoken to co-star Dorit Kemsley, denies sending her a ‘manipulative’ text
March 24, 2024
LqLZzDP1hm4
Jordan Emanuel on her connection to 'RHOSLC' star Meredith Marks, advice from Amanda Batula
March 24, 2024
5NPAwlOov1Y
Kate Middleton’s uncle Gary apologizes after slamming ‘fickle’ Meghan Markle in scathing interview
March 24, 2024
JWG9kitALZk
TV Schedule
Late Night Show
Watch the latest shows of U.S. top comedians

Sports

Latest sport results, news, videos, interviews and comments
Latest Events
20
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
SK Brann W - Barcelona W
20
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
Hacken W - PSG W
19
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
SL Benfica W - Lyon W
19
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
Ajax W - Chelsea W
17
Mar
SPAIN: La Liga
Atletico Madrid - Barcelona
17
Mar
ENGLAND: FA Cup
Manchester United - Liverpool
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Inter Milan - Napoli
17
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Brighton - Manchester City
17
Mar
GERMANY: Bundesliga
Borussia Dortmund - Eintracht Frankfurt
17
Mar
ENGLAND: FA Cup
Chelsea - Leicester City
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Roma - Sassuolo
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Verona - AC Milan
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Juventus - Genoa
16
Mar
GERMANY: Bundesliga
Darmstadt - Bayern Munich
16
Mar
ENGLAND: FA Cup
Manchester City - Newcastle United
16
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Fulham - Tottenham Hotspur
16
Mar
SPAIN: La Liga
Osasuna - Real Madrid
13
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 1/8 Final
Atletico Madrid - Inter Milan
12
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 1/8 Final
Barcelona - Napoli
12
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 1/8 Final
Arsenal - Porto
11
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Chelsea - Newcastle United
10
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Liverpool - Manchester City
10
Mar
SPAIN: La Liga
Real Madrid - Celta Vigo
10
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Aston Villa - Tottenham Hotspur
10
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Juventus - Atalanta
10
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Fiorentina - Roma
10
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
AC Milan - Empoli
Find us on Instagram
at @feedimo to stay up to date with the latest.
Featured Video You Might Like
zWJ3MxW_HWA L1eLanNeZKg i1XRgbyUtOo -g9Qziqbif8 0vmRhiLHE2U JFCZUoa6MYE UfN5PCF5EUo 2PV55f3-UAg W3y9zuI_F64 -7qCxIccihU pQ9gcOoH9R8 g5MRDEXRk4k
Copyright © 2020 Feedimo. All Rights Reserved.