Being a dad is one of the best things ever, but it’s also the most responsible thing in the world. You need to take lots of things into consideration and stay on top of everything that’s going on with your baby and your wife. If you too are looking for ways to make this process easier, here are ten things every new dad needs to know.
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Stay cool
This is the most important thing you need to remember: your wife and your new baby depend on you, and you need to stay calm. Your newborn still doesn’t know what’s going on, your wife is probably still in pain, and you need to step up. Work on your anxiety level, try to minimize it as much as you can, and find ways to remove stress from your life. Staying cool and calm is crucial for your newborn, but for you as well, so work on that from day one.
Rely on your instincts
Lots of people talk about maternal instincts and how newborns connect to their mothers on a very special level, but what about paternal instincts? Of course, your child will be attached to your wife – they’ve been living together for nine months, after all! – but you need to rely on your instincts as well. Talk to your kid, hold it, play with it, and do whatever makes it feel relaxed and loved.
Get prepared
Most mothers prepare a nursery for their newborn and buy tons of clothes and other things, and you need to a part of that process too. Doing things in advance is a great way to minimize your stress and get prepared for the big day. Start with the crib, the changing station, and the stroller, and then move onto other essentials. Don’t forget to buy enough clothes for your loved one, and find an amazing kids clothes where you can get tons of cute and adorable clothes without breaking the bank. Doing this before your baby comes is vital, so start looking for clothes straight away!
Learn in advance
Being a parent is a lot of work, and you need to spend quite a lot of time learning all about different aspects of parenthood. From holding your child to giving it a bath, these are all the things that require quite a lot of patience and knowledge. That’s why learning them in advance is so vital because you’ll be prepared to do whatever needs to be done so that your baby is happy and healthy.
Connect with your kid
This is another issue lots of dads are struggling with, and most of them are simply too afraid to approach their baby. That’s why they don’t hold it and fail to connect to it, even though they do feel the love. Luckily, there’s an easy solution: just hold your kid and be patient, man! This is something men all around the world are doing, so join the movement and change the paradigm. Don’t be afraid to connect with it and spend as much time as possible, especially in the first year of its life.
Don’t be absent
The world is full of absentee dads, so just don’t be that guy. It doesn’t matter if you work hard and don’t have enough time or are just afraid you’ll do something wrong – stop that nonsense and be there for your kid! This is something your wife will appreciate as well, so just organize your time in another way and be at home as much as you can.
Be there for your wife
Giving birth is harder than we can imagine, and most men can’t even understand how much hard work and pain their wives endure in the process. That’s why they’re in pain for the next couple of weeks, and can’t sometimes function at all. So, you need to be there for them, showing them support and doing whatever needs to be done – even the things you don’t like doing or have never done before.
Change the diapers
To be honest, this is usually the least appealing aspect of parenthood, but it’s still something you have to do. Changing the diapers is messy and smelly and gross, but letting your wife do that every single time is even grosser. So, man up, learn how to change a diaper, and let your wife know you’re determined to become the best dad ever!
Learn when to take a step back
Yes, you’re supposed to be there for your wife and kid, but you should also learn how to be discreet. Give them a moment and let them be alone because that’s what your newborn sometimes needs. Learning when to take a step back is crucial for every new dad, so understand your role as a father and don’t be too intrusive.
Believe in yourself
Fathers are supposed to be strong, fearless, and authoritative, but is that all the time isn’t that easy. Still, you can learn these things, and be the father you want to be. Boosting your self-confidence takes some time, so start small and continue building your parenting skills in the future as well. While being a father is amazing, it’s not all fun and games. There’s lots of hard work involved, and you need to stay committed to it day after day. So, follow these tips, do what you need to do, and be the best dad you can be.
Alex is fascinated with “understanding” people. It’s actually what drives everything he does. He believes in a thoughtful exploration of how you shape your thoughts, experience of the world.