CircleBumpCheckedFilledMedicalBookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxCheckBoxFilled

New Dads’ Brains Are More Like Moms’ Than We Thought

save article
profile picture of Madeline Schmitz
Updated January 30, 2017
Hero Image
Image: Shutterstock

New moms are able to bond with their newborn from the moment of birth, thanks to a strong activation of amygdala, which regulates emotional reactions. This instant connection in moms, however, doesn’t mean that dads aren’t able to achieve the same level of emotional attachment to their babies. It just takes a little more work, according a recent study by scientists at Bar Ilan University in Israel.

Researchers looked at the emotional responses of over 90 mothers and fathers to their babies. The parents were separated into three different groups: heterosexual primary caregiving mothers, heterosexual secondary caregiving fathers and homosexual primary caregiving fathers. Side note — the fact that the primary caregiving fathers were gay is irrelevant aside from the fact that researchers wanted to see what the results would be with fathers who had no female influence on their parenting. The researchers videotaped the parents at home with their children, and then recorded how they reacted when watching the tape back later. The result? Primary and secondary caregivers had different responses when watching back the video (primary caregivers were more emotional), but the dads who were primary caregivers had the same level of emotional response to the babies as the moms.

In the 48 homosexual fathers who were observed, both paternal and maternal instincts fired up when they were with their babies. This means that they had the level of emotional attachment of a mother who carried her child through pregnancy as well as a straight dad who had a harder time feeling a strong connection to his baby. In general, the dads who spent the most time actively engaging with their child had higher levels of amygdala, which allowed them to connect more intimately with their child.

Related Video

The definition of fatherhood is changing every day. While in past decades virtually all fathers were secondary caregivers, today 8 percent of households are headed by single fathers. Fathers are playing a greater role in the upbringing of their children, and can train their brains to act more like “mom” the more time they spend with their baby. Ruth Feldman, the researcher who led the study, wasn’t surprised by the findings. Instead, she was more interested in the fact that male brains could change based on how much time each father spent with child, making it resemble the maternal brain more closely. “What was surprising was how neatly and beautifully these things worked together,” she said.

There are more and more stay-at-home dads every day. Would you consider letting your partner be the primary caregiver for you child? Or is dad already the one who spends the most time with baby?

save article
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

Dallas Cowboys Dak Prescott and Sarah Jane Ramos attend an in-store event at David Yurman on May 16, 2024 in Dallas, Texas.
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott and Sarah Jane Ramos Expecting Baby No. 2
By Wyndi Kappes
mother and baby looking at smartphone on the couch at home
Why Does My Baby…Google Releases 2024's Trending Searches
By Wyndi Kappes
F1 Driver Max Verstappen Expecting First Child With Kelly Piquet
F1 Driver Max Verstappen Expecting First Child With Kelly Piquet
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
Lindsay Hubbard attends the Us Weekly and Pluto TV's 2024 Reality TV Stars Of The Year at The Highlight Room on October 10, 2024 in Los Angeles, California
Summer House’s Lindsay Hubbard Welcomes Baby Girl
By Wyndi Kappes
mom talking to toddler son
This Magic Parenting Phrase Keeps Toddlers From Touching Everything
By Wyndi Kappes
pregnant woman laying on bed at home
Pregnancy Enhances Ability to Fight Off Severe Flu, Study Shows
By Wyndi Kappes
kylie kelce talking about pregnancy on her podcast not gonna lie
Kylie Kelce 'Can’t Stand Pregnancy'—and That’s OK
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
Amazon Essentials x Sofia Grainge
Sofia Richie Grainge Launches Baby and Kids' Clothing Collection
By Wyndi Kappes
Amber Heard speaks on the stage during the 69th Taormina Film Festival on June 24, 2023 in Taormina, Italy
Amber Heard Is Expecting Baby No. 2
By Wyndi Kappes
Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively attend the "Deadpool & Wolverine" New York Premiere on July 22, 2024 in New York City.
Blake Lively’s Top Song of the Year Is a Parenting Rite of Passage
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
mom trying to comfort angry child at home
The Emotional Parenting Challenge 63% of Parents Struggle With
By Wyndi Kappes
grandmother giving gift to toddler
One Grandma’s Smart Advice for Gift-Happy Grandparents This Season
By Wyndi Kappes
person picking up an egg out of the carton
10,000+ Cartons of Costco Organic Eggs Recalled Due to Salmonella Risk
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
fresh whole cucumbers
Cucumbers Recalled in 19 States Due to Salmonella Outbreak
By Wyndi Kappes
pregnant woman holding a christmas present
My Favorite Cyber Monday Deals for Moms
By Martina Garvey
Moana 2 Debuts This Week: Fave Finds for Aspiring Wayfinders
Moana 2 Debuts This Week: Fave Finds for Aspiring Wayfinders
By Wyndi Kappes
If Childbirth Were a Job, It'd Rank Among the Most Dangerous in the US
If Childbirth Were a Job, It'd Rank Among the Most Dangerous in the US
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
Pregnant Claudia Oshry Gets Candid About Her First Trimester Struggles
Pregnant Claudia Oshry Gets Candid About Her First Trimester Struggles
By Wyndi Kappes
Gypsy Rose Blanchard at An Evening with Lifetime: Conversations on Controversies FYC Event held at The Lounge at Studio 10 on May 1, 2024 in Los Angeles, Calfornia
Gypsy Rose Blanchard Reveals Her Baby's Disney-Inspired Name
By Wyndi Kappes
1 in 4 Moms Report Falling Asleep While Feeding Baby
1 in 4 Moms Report Falling Asleep While Feeding Baby
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List