It’s a new dad’s world. No one knows what it feels like to be a father more than a father who has just welcomed a new baby into the world. Expectant fathers, despite their excitement and anticipation of the arrival, may not have many ideas about how to prepare themselves for this life-changing event. Thankfully, there are some things that they can do now or at least before they get home from the hospital with their newborn son or daughter in tow. It’s never too early to learn!
For example, dads should consider buying an infant car seat before the baby arrives since most hospitals won’t allow them to take one home after delivery without having it installed properly in advance. They also need something else: a good survival kit for dads.
How do new dads survive
Depending on the father, their newfound role as a dad may be more or less difficult. Some dads, such as myself, can’t wait to start this new stage of their life. Others find the prospect of being a dad intimidating and downright scary. To help these guys get through it all with a smile on their faces and tears of joy in their eyes, we thought we’d put together some pointers for fathers-to-be:
1) give yourself some time! As people who have never had children before you will likely not know what to expect. Give yourself time to adjust and plan your baby’s arrival as best as possible. This means reading up about what to do with a newborn and learning about parenting in general. You can’t be a good dad without the knowledge, so make sure you put some time and effort into it and don’t skimp on preparation.
2) learn to sleep when the baby sleeps! It is true that new dads are often at their best when they get a few hours of shut-eye during the day, especially during the first few weeks. This is where you have to learn to take advantage of sleep time and catch some z’s when it’s offered.
3) ask questions! It might be nerve-racking at first for new dads to ask their partners about things they don’t know about babies, but being a good father will not happen overnight. You’ve got to ask questions and learn how to care for your baby as you go along, don’t be shy!
4) play with your new child! A lot of dads like me like to show pictures of our newborns off to their friends and family. This is a great way for us to bond with our children and enjoy their cute and innocent childlike qualities.
5) learn to take care of yourself now. You can’t be a great dad if you’re exhausted, hungry or thirsty constantly since it’s important to be as healthy as possible for your new baby. By the way, mom Is going to be busy so you may have to step up a little when it comes to things she used to do for you.
There are many more things that dads (and moms even) should know before having a baby. Read up on what you can do to prepare yourself and your partner for parenthood as best as possible so that when the big day comes, you’re as prepared as humanly possible!
New daddies need lots of support from other people, too! If you have any questions or something to add to this article, please leave a comment.
What new dads should know
Responsibility: As soon as you find out that you’re going to be the dad of a newborn, you’re responsible for everything. You’re responsible for making sure all the supplies are purchased, assembling them when they arrive in the mail, putting everything in the right place (which will probably change when your baby does), and keeping it all in working order.
Maintaining personal relationships: New dads often report having their relationships strained because they no longer have any time for themselves or their significant other. This is especially true if there’s more than one child under 18 in the home. It’s important to make time for your friends and family so you can get through this phase while keeping them strong.
Sleep deprivation: As new parents, it’s important to get proper rest; that means you too! You may think that skipping nights of sleep won’t affect you because you’re not the one breastfeeding or changing dirty diapers, but lack of sleep can lead to some serious consequences on your mental stability.
What should you do when the baby arrives
Don’t overreact: The first time your baby poops somewhere other than in their diaper, you’re likely to jump back in surprise. This is normal; just remember that every action your baby performs has a logical explanation, even if it doesn’t seem that way to you. Remember this for everything else too!
What do expectant dads need?
It’s important for expectant fathers to prepare both mentally and physically for the arrival of their new bundle of joy. Preparing this way will help them adjust better to being a new dad. One thing that dads need to do is purchase some baby gear! Dads should also plan on taking time off work to be with their newborns. Given these things, here are some items that could go in a baby survival kit for dads:
-If you have decided to use formula the number one thing that is a lifesaver is a formula dispenser. These things can be set up so that in the middle of the night you can grab it and make a bottle in less than a minute. When you are waking up 3 or 4 times a night every minute counts.
-Another helpful item that might be included is a baby food maker. These things will steam and purée fruits and vegetables in the blink of an eye. Great for making tasty purees in large batches that can be frozen and easily warmed up when needed.
-Diaper bag must-haves. A diaper bag is something every dad should have ready to go before the baby comes. There are many things that dads need to put in their diaper bags including diapers, wipes, snacks, toys, books, and essentials like instant coffee and a change of clothes for mom and dad.
-Baby gear must-haves: When it comes to baby gear it’s important to be prepared so that all the items you need are ready when your baby arrives. For dads onesies are great. You don’t have to worry about matching and it’s only a few buttons. Simple is key for us 🙂
-A comfy baby carrier: One of the worst things about having a baby is how much you have to carry them around. The best way to make it easier and more comfortable for dad and baby is with a snuggly, secure baby carrier. When dads choose a product like this they will be able to move around easily without damaging their backs.
What should the father do during pregnancy?
The father should be present for doctor appointments and accompany the mother on those occasions. The father should also make an effort to learn about the pregnancy as much as possible. This can include reading up on what’s going on with their partner’s body, including symptoms that they might experience, and any other information that they might find useful. The father can also prepare by talking to other fathers about their experiences and getting a sense of what it was like for them when they first learned about their baby’s arrival.
Conclusion
The arrival of a new baby is an exciting event for any family. But before you can get to that happy day, there are several things the expectant father needs to do in order to prepare. For instance, it’s important for dads-to-be to take time off work and plan ahead so they have items like diapers and other necessities on hand when their bundle of joy arrives. Another thing dad should consider doing is reading up on what pregnancy entails so he knows how best to support mom during this time. Finally, if your partner has chosen not to use formula or breastfeed then these products will be helpful too! If on the other hand, you guys are breastfeeding that doesn’t mean you are off duty. You will have to take extra steps to bond with the baby. Read our post on the topic here.
