Actor Blair McDonough gets real about struggling to bond with new baby

Blair McDonough welcomed his second child last month, and the former Neighbours star has taken to Instagram to share a very honest perspective on fatherhood.

“Bonding is a tricky thing,” he wrote beside an adorable selfie with newborn baby Van.

“Took me a number of weeks to bond with Leni when she was born and with Van at just over four weeks it’s starting to happen. It’s a welcome relief.”

“As I said, a tricky experience to go through,” he continued.

“He’d been unsettled since 4am and when he hit my chest at 6am he immediately calmed and fell asleep. He’s been snoring in unison with Mum for the past hour and it’s been absolutely lovely. I thought it was timely chance to show some Insta-truth more so than the default Insta-happy.’

“Mothers are phenomenal, but here’s a shout out to the Dads, both new and old. #VantheMan.”

Bonding is a tricky thing. Took me a number of weeks to bond with Leni when she was born and with Van at just over 4 weeks it’s starting to happen. It’s a welcome relief. As I said, a tricky experience to go through. He’d been unsettled since 4am and when he hit my chest at 6am he immediately calmed and fell asleep. He’s been snoring in unison with Mum for the past hour and it’s been absolutely lovely. I thought it was timely chance to show some Insta-truth more so than the default Insta-happy. Mothers are phenomenal, but here’s a shout out to the Dads, both new and old. #VantheMan

A post shared by BlairMcDonough1 (@blairmcdonough1) on Jun 25, 2017 at 2:07pm PDT

Did your partner find it difficult to bond with the baby?

Share your comments below.

Image via Instagram

27 Comments

- - Frankiielot said
  - 03 Apr 2022
    12:36 am
Always great when dads bond straight away with their babies.
My hubby bonded with both straight away and they’re very close with him which is so nice.

- - hopefullyheidi said
  - 28 Feb 2022
    12:22 pm
Great to see a Dad’s honest account of a personal struggle.

- - Mumofboysx4 said
  - 28 Oct 2019
    2:04 pm
It’s definitely harder for dads to bond. They don’t have that instant connection from
Carrying them for 9 months and them Mum is breastfeeding which makes it harder for dad to bond too as there just isn’t as much time for them

- - mom297125 said
  - 28 Oct 2019
    12:27 pm
So very true. Very touching

- - Ellen said
  - 27 Oct 2019
    9:47 am
Think the difference with fathers and mothers is that mum has carried the baby for 9months in her womb and literally shared her blood through the cord, baby and mom were one and wired and responded to each other. Fathers do not have this and have to start bonding after birth

- - mom62624 said
  - 26 Oct 2019
    9:56 pm
A good read and very honest.

- - mom207052 said
  - 26 Oct 2019
    12:07 am
Noone really talls about this and everyone thinks bonding is instant but its not always. And thats ok!!

- - nealsq said
  - 25 Oct 2019
    10:10 pm
It is hard for the partners, especially if mum breastfeeds because bub really does depend on her, perseverance really does pay off especially if mum is tired and stressed because dad/partner is usually a bit calmer and less stressed which helps bub calm better. Keep trying, keep snuggling keep loving, it will come

- - mummaonmatleave said
  - 25 Oct 2019
    3:51 pm
It’s so amazing to these stories of truth and reality. Shout out to Mums and Dads who are honest and open about their real battles with parenthood.

- - Mummyofone77 said
  - 25 Oct 2019
    4:07 am
Glad he shared as I’m sure there are plenty of people who can relate and felt islated because they thought they were alone

- - Mum2archer said
  - 24 Oct 2019
    11:34 pm
We didnt have any issues bonding with our son, but it would be hard if that feeling wasnt there. Good on him for being open and honest

- - youngoldlady said
  - 24 Oct 2019
    10:37 pm
It can be hard at time bonding, I am glad that we can get a male’s view.

- - mom19782016 said
  - 23 Oct 2019
    8:21 pm
Yup, newborns are very hard!

- - ashna9 said
  - 23 Oct 2019
    7:21 pm
It’s good to have an honest male opinion rather than just Mums.

- - DaffyD said
  - 23 Oct 2019
    5:50 pm
I didn’t with either of my too, but my ex didn’t bond with our youngest and still hasn’t and he is 2 1/2

- - mom152736 said
  - 23 Oct 2019
    3:27 pm
Not really difficult but he did say that bubba preferred me 😀 😀 haha

- - curlytops said
  - 23 Oct 2019
    8:58 am
Everyone is different and good to know it’s ok not to feel an instant bond the second they are born and very common to take a while to bond.

- - mom94125 said
  - 05 Oct 2017
    10:57 pm
oh you just gotta love that name! both names are great

- - june11 said
  - 11 Jul 2017
    12:39 am
Dads take a little longer to bond with a newborn than the Mum. The Mum naturally handles the baby more if breastfeeding.

- - mom160421 said
  - 29 Jun 2017
    11:26 am
I bonded instantly, whereas my husband was a little more cautious when our daughter was born. He was afraid to hold her in case he did something wrong. There was never any doubt however that he loves her very much.