Hey new dads! First of all, congratulations! Some of you may be jumping into fatherhood head-first—you’ve done your research, you know how to change a diaper, and you’re only here to make sure that you’ve got all bases covered. If so, good on you!
However, some of you may be feeling a little lost right now. And that’s fine—you’re not alone, so don’t get down on yourself. Now’s a good a time as any to get started on figuring out what’s up with this whole fatherhood deal.
Your partner needs your support now more than ever. Here’s how to do just that.
1. Feed her
If your partner is breastfeeding your child, she’s going to need a lot of extra nutrition. And if she isn’t, she could really use the help anyway, as looking after a newborn isn’t a joke. Make sure she eats regular healthy meals. You could even try feeding her foods that could boost her mood and help her treat you a little more nicely! (Postpartum nutrition: Fight the “baby blues” with these tips)
2. Let her sleep
Today’s Parent makes an excellent point when it tells dads that if their partner gets up in the middle of the night to feed the baby, they should be the ones in charge of early morning feedings.
3. Support her while breastfeeding
This could mean plumping up the cushions to make sure that she’s comfortable, bringing her a glass of water, snacks, the remote control, basically anything she asks for. She’s feeding your child with her body, so treating her like royalty is just what she deserves. (8 Ways new dads can support breastfeeding moms)
Go to the next page for more tips on supporting new moms.
4. Help out around the house
Though she’s spending the whole day in the house, keeping it neat and tidy probably isn’t high on her list of priorities, so don’t give her a hard time when you come home to a messy house. Instead, help out by doing some cleaning yourself.
5. Remember that you aren’t babysitting
When you’re taking care of your child, you are parenting. That’s that. Though it’s understandable that you might call it that (as you’re not the primary caregiver), at the end of the day, you’re a parent, not hired help. Still not convinced? Give these dads a listen: (Dads speak out: “We’re parents, not babysitters”)
6. Don’t wait until she asks for your help
Contrary to what the media and society might have conditioned you to believe, moms aren’t magical, as Mom.me points out. The moment women pop out a baby, they don’t automatically know what they’re doing. Most moms have no clue. You might not think she needs your help, but believe me, she does. Just knowing that you’re there to support her will make a world of a difference to her.
7. Affirm her
Many women get the baby blues after giving birth, and appreciating her can go a long way. Take photos of her and the baby and tell her she’s beautiful. Thank her for going through the pain of labor. Check in on her during the day while you’re at work. Thank her for taking care of your baby. Never let her feel like you’re taking her for granted.
READ: Tips for dads: How to take care of a newborn baby
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