Tips for New Dads in the Newborn Stage

About to welcome your first baby and not sure what to do? Discover useful tips for new dads in the newborn stage to survive and thrive.

Tips for New DadsNot too long ago, men weren’t expected (or sometimes even allowed) in the delivery room. Fathers still doted on their children, but in their own ways, like providing for the family and being the “fun” parent. This left the business of caring for kids on mom’s lap.

Dads, I’m talking to you today.

Because while we still have some ways to go, you’re more likely to get involved and take on an equal role in parenthood than generations past. You especially want to participate from day one, and yes, right in the delivery room. You realize caring for a baby doesn’t—shouldn’t—only fall on mom’s lap.

You’re assuming more responsibilities, but being a first time dad can be both exciting and nerve-racking at the same time.

Useful tips for new dads in the newborn stage

I’ve seen many dads who want to be as involved as possible while bonding with their new babies. To care for the baby and their partner and be present in more ways than “helping.” With the challenges of the newborn stage, your baby and partner need you now more than ever.

Consider this your survival kit, the tips for new dads to get you through those newborn months:

1. Take that time off work

Not all jobs or even work environments allow for lengthy paternity leave. Even if they do, taking a long leave may not be financially smart in your situation.

That said, I encourage you to take that time off work if possible, especially in those first few days and weeks. Learn alongside your partner the nuances of caring for your baby so you can encourage and support each other.

Research has also shown that fathers who take time off develop a stronger bond and have more confidence in their roles.

You don’t even have to take time off right away—you can take most of your time off once your partner goes back to work. This would you allow you to spend one-on-one time with the baby as well as save money by postponing childcare costs even further.

Make going to work the last resort during your baby’s first few weeks and months. As they say, you can always make up for the loss of money, but you can’t make up for the loss of time.

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2. Take notes during doctor’s appointments

After the baby is born, you’ll likely visit his pediatrician for a slew of appointments. The younger the baby, the more often the doctor needs to check him.

These can be some of the most challenging outings in those first few months. You or your partner aren’t exactly in the best place to leave the house. Bundling a newborn into the car seat in time to make it for the scheduled slot can be difficult.

Once at the doctor’s, you’ll juggle your baby (who may not be too keen to have the doctor examine him) as well as all the information the doctor is telling you.

This is why one of the most useful things to do is to take notes during your appointments. One of you can hold the baby and speak to the doctor while the other can be responsible for recording important information you don’t want to miss.

Record important information the doctor might mention, like:

  • When you should call if you notice your baby has a fever
  • How many ounces or pounds he should gain by the next appointment
  • Dosages for any medicine he may need to take
  • Which vaccinations to expect at each appointment
  • When your next appointment will be

Use your notebook to write any questions you may also have before going to the doctor. Once you’re in the office, you can have your list ready to go instead of trying to remember what you’d meant to ask.

Take a look at these newborn tips and tricks.

Newborn Tips and Tricks

3. Be patient with your partner

You and your partner may have hardly fought before having kids, but now that you have to care of your baby, you likely fight more than ever. With both of you sleep-deprived and learning on the go, it’s no wonder those first weeks and months can be challenging for any relationship.

Be patient with your partner during this time. She might be recovering from the physical strains of childbirth and labor. Her emotions are all over the place because of sleep deprivation, changes in hormones, or postpartum depression. Your usual routines are all over the place.

This is the time to pick your battles and let things slide. Ask yourself if what you’re arguing about will make a difference in the long run. If not, let it go. And despite her behavior, this is actually when she needs you to be patient and supportive the most.

Focus instead on being her cheerleader, her rock. The one who can make her laugh when she’s feeling down, and the one she can rely on when she’s afraid or nervous. The one who’ll prepare her snacks while she’s nursing the baby.

And communicate regularly. We moms have this habit of dropping hints instead of saying what we want or need. Encourage open and honest communication, even making it a daily or weekly ritual. You’ll avoid mixed messages and can work as a team.

Newborn Sleep Deprivation

4. Talk to your baby

All these months in utero, your baby has been hearing the sound of your voice. Talking to your baby is a fantastic way to reinforce the bond you have and provide the reassurance he needs from a familiar sound.

Don’t feel silly either if the baby doesn’t “respond”—that comes later. Babies won’t reciprocate social cues for a while, and won’t even have a genuine smile until around six to eight weeks after birth. Rest assured that your baby loves hearing you talking and spending time with him.

5. Assume baby duties for yourself

If your partner breastfeeds, you might feel out of the loop with a huge portion of your baby’s days and nights (babies nurse a long time!). Assume the role of diaper changer not only to balance responsibilities with your partner but to own a particular duty yourself.

Middle-of-the-night wake-ups and night feedings are the worst, so even the simple gesture of waking up to change diapers and help the baby sleep can make a huge difference.

You might not think it adds up—changing a diaper takes a few minutes—but you just gave your partner those few minutes not to have to get up. We notice those kinds of things!

Besides diaper changes, you might be the one who burps the baby after he nurses and puts him down in the crib or bassinet. You could bathe the baby, read bedtime stories, or wrap him in a blanket for a nap in your arms.

Assuming a role of your own not only helps your partner but allows you the opportunity to spend one-on-one time with your baby. And a side effect of all this? You grow more confident in your abilities as someone who can handle many tasks on solo duty.

6. Remember that you are capable

Meeting your new baby and assuming the responsibilities that come with caring for him can feel daunting. Despite your fears and anxieties about being a new dad, know that you are capable and can rock fatherhood.

Somehow, we’ve grown to believe that moms are more capable of caring for a baby. That carrying him in her womb for months has bestowed on her a natural inclination to be a parent.

You are also capable. You can do nearly everything your partner can, from reading the baby’s cues to knowing which brand of wipes he likes.

You’re not a second-tier parent or the babysitter who needs instructions to care for his baby. Nor do you lack any “instincts” to be a good father to your little one. You have everything you need in your heart.

Conclusion

Caring for a new baby is a challenge for both mom and dad. This may be your first child and your introduction to parenthood and baby care.

You can get through this period and gain fulfillment and confidence with each day. Take time off work to bond with and talk to your baby during these early weeks and months. Be patient with your partner, especially since she’s also going through physical and emotional changes.

Bring a pen and notebook to doctor’s appointments to help both of you record important information. At home, choose baby duties to do yourself to better spend time with your baby and balance responsibilities between you and your partner.

And finally, remember that you’ve got this. You are more than capable of being the father your baby needs, no matter how daunting or scary this experience can be.

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