Preparing for fatherhood? Well, first of all, congratulations! This is a wonderful thing, and it's the start of an incredible, never-ending life journey.
This time is exciting—but that's just the start of the emotions. It's so, so, so much more. It's intimidating. It's scary. It's joyful. It's overwhelming. It's fascinating. It's all fatherhood and it's all coming soon.
Think you're ready for it? Here's the bottom line: no one ever really and truly is prepared to be a father for the first time. There's just so much you don't know!
That's why we're here to help. Here are our 9 tips for life to come as you're preparing for fatherhood.
in this article:
1. Do The Research
One of the most empowering things you can do as a first-time dad is to dive into research. Familiarize yourself with child development stages to understand what to expect as your baby grows. Explore different parenting styles and techniques to create a strategy that aligns with your family values.
Join online support groups for new dads to exchange experiences and gain valuable insights. Additionally, take the time to understand the physical and psychological changes your partner will experience at different stages of pregnancy, and educate yourself about the childbirth process to be prepared for various scenarios. Connecting with these resources and knowledge bases will help you feel more confident and supported on your fatherhood journey.
2. Show Support for Your Partner
Remember, you're only half of the equation! If you're raising the child in a partnership, be sure to engage that person and show support constantly. This is a brand-new and (oftentimes) scary thing for both people who are raising the child. Be open with your thoughts and feelings. Discuss all of the things you want and need to talk about when it comes to parenthood.
As much as you can, be sure to take some time for yourselves to relax and decompress (easier said than done, for sure). The more you can engage and be open with your partner in parenthood, the better it will be.
Couple of ways you can show your support:
- Make an effort to attend all the baby appointments, not just the "fun" ones like the first visit, ultrasound, and gender reveal.
- Cheer her on with thoughtful gifts as she battles chronic fatigue, morning sickness, and restless sleep. This might be a new pillow, a gift certificate for a prenatal massage, a soothing candle with lavender to encourage restful sleep, or even take out from her favorite restaurant as a special treat when she's too exhausted to leave the house.
- Be vocal about how proud you are of her and how much you appreciate the sacrifices she's making to bring your little one into the world. This can be little notes hidden around the house, a heartfelt card, or just a meaningful conversation over dinner at home.
- Be willing to discuss important topics such as whether or not she may want to breastfeed, whether a baby will stay in their nursery or if you will want to co-sleep for the first couple of months.
3. Stay Healthy
Preparing for fatherhood involves taking care of your health and well-being to ensure you are ready for the challenges and responsibilities of becoming a father.
Some tips to follow:
- Eat a well-balanced diet - maintain a healthy weight and support your overall well-being by consuming a nutritious diet. Focus on incorporating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and staying hydrated. Good eating habits will provide you with the energy you need to navigate fatherhood.
- Get regular exercise - engage in regular physical activity to stay fit and maintain your stamina. Prioritize activities that can be done at home or in minimal time, considering the demands of parenting.
- Ensure sufficient sleep - prioritize getting enough sleep as it is essential for your overall well-being and mental health. Develop a sleeping plan or schedule with your partner, discussing strategies to manage sleep deprivation once the baby arrives. Adequate rest will help you cope with the demands of fatherhood.
- Take care of your mental health - recognize that caring for a newborn comes with both joy and challenges. Find time for yourself and support your partner in having personal time as well. Managing stress will contribute to your ability to care for your baby effectively.
4. Talk With Other Fathers
Odds are, you know quite a lot of people that have "been there and done that" when it comes to fatherhood. Use them as a network for all of the questions you might have! That network can include friends, and family—even your father or grandfather. All of these dads have seen and dealt with it all.
If you have any questions about the miracle that is fatherhood—or you're just feeling overwhelmed sometimes—they can offer you a shoulder to lean on and advice that can make a difference. Preparing for fatherhood is a "big tent" experience.
Interesting questions and considerations to ask:
- What aspect of Fatherhood took you completely off guard?
- When your wife went into labor, was there anything you wish you would have done differently?
- During those first few days at home with the baby, what product or service was the biggest lifesaver?
- What piece of advice did you receive about Fatherhood that resonated the most with you?
- What baby sleep training method worked best for you?
5. Stock Up on The Things You'll Need
Want to get any parenting books? Now's the time to make a reading list and start adding that wisdom to your brain. Oh, also, order some of the baby basics. Is your home stocked enough for your new arrival? Do you have enough diapers? How about books, toys, diapers, baby outfits and anything else? Take a quick walk-through of your home to see what you have (and what you might still need).
Learning about essential baby gear—read reviews, compare features, and seek advice from experienced parents to find the best items for your family's needs and budget.
A couple of considerations:
- Create a baby registry on Amazon and add your baby must-haves
- Will you be using cloth or disposable diapers? If cloth, you might want to make arrangements with a cleaning service. If disposable, you can sign up for automatic deliveries, so you'll never run out.
- You'll more than likely be eating at home often in the beginning. Perhaps consider a meal delivery service like Hello Fresh, a done-for-you grocery delivery service like Shipt or research a service like Farmhouse Delivery that facilitates deliveries from Organic Farmer's in your area.
6. Learn Basic Baby Care Skills
There are several important baby care skills you should focus on to ensure the well-being and development of your newborn.
- Handling and Holding - learn how to handle your baby safely and provide proper support to their head and neck. Always wash your hands before handling the baby to maintain cleanliness.
- Winding & Burping - master the technique of winding and burping your baby after feeding to release trapped air from their tummy, preventing discomfort.
- Diaper Changing - become proficient in changing diapers, whether using disposable or reusable diapers.
- Swaddling - learn how to swaddle your baby safely, providing a sense of security and promoting better sleep.
- Bathing: Familiarize yourself with the basics of bathing your baby, including maintaining proper water temperature and supporting them comfortably during the bath.
- Soothing Techniques: Learn ways to soothe your baby, such as gentle massages, vocal sounds (talking, singing, cooing), lullabies, soft music, and using rattles or mobiles to stimulate their hearing.
- Bonding - spend quality time bonding with your baby to create a strong emotional connection. Practice techniques like cradling, gentle stroking, and skin-to-skin contact (kangaroo care) to promote emotional well-being and development.
- Secure Fastening - always ensure your baby is securely fastened in carriers, strollers, and car seats. Avoid rough and bouncy activities that could be harmful to their delicate body.
- Basic Baby First Aid
7. Get All the Baby Work Off Your To-Do List
Get moving on all of those baby-centric projects, if you haven't already! Finish the baby's room, build the crib, assemble the stroller, and put together all of the toys they'll play with. Spend a lot of time organizing everything so that things are as simple as possible when the baby gets there. Trust us: when the baby comes, you'll want to have everything as in order as possible. It doesn't stay that way too long!
Few reminders for commonly overlooked to-do's:
- Do you have enough batteries for all the baby devices?
- If you have a dog, do you need a doggy gate to make sure they can't visit the baby unsupervised?
- Have you updated your insurance policy?
- Will the baby be baptized or are you planning any other religious events? If so, how soon in advance will they need to be booked?
- Do you have "Thank You" cards on hand so that you can write the notes as soon as the gifts arrive?
8. Take a Look at Your Finances
Having a baby is not a cheap proposition! Tons of added expenses come along with having a new child in the home. Just the diapers alone can be a massive expense. If you don't have your finances set, you could be in for one giant case of "sticker shock" as the baby comes.
Get ahead of your finances and get on the same page with your partner now to avoid any misunderstandings or financial problems a little bit down the road.
A few discussion points for your finances:
- Will you set up a college savings plan such as a 529 plan, Living Trust, or additional savings account at your bank?
- Are you planning on daycare for the baby? If so, at what age and what will that added expense be?
- If you're taking maternity and/or paternity leave, will you be compensated at your full rate? Or will you be taking a pay cut for a portion of your leave?
- Have any relatives expressed wanting to make a cash donation to help support you? If so, how will that money spent?
9. Take Some Time for Yourself
If you've made it this far, then you know you're going to be very busy leading up to the baby's birth and beyond! If work (and home time) schedules permit, try to take a day trip just by yourself to exhale and decompress.
After all of that time spent together, it's probably a healthy thing for you and your partner to spend some time alone with your thoughts before the baby comes. So, take a little trip into town or a good drive somewhere. Sit by yourself, take in some deep breaths and let that solitude wash over you. You won't have many moments like that coming up!
Couple of suggestions for "me" time before the baby arrives:
- Plan a weekend getaway with friends as a last guys' trip before Fatherhood.
- Enjoy a Father & Son golf retreat so you can soak up any last-minute advice from your Dad.
- Find a relaxing camping spot you can escape to for a night or two. Just make sure you have good cell service in case your Mom-to-be needs anything!
- Grab a coffee at a lakefront coffee shop and journal your thoughts on becoming a Dad.
- Knock out a bucket list item that might be easier to accomplish pre-baby such as running a marathon, visiting a long-lost cousin, or even taking those Jiu-Jitsu classes.
10. Capture The Moments That Matter
Remember, pregnancy, birth, and early days pass by quickly. They won't be small for that long. Right now, they're small and innocent; in the blink of an eye, they'll grow up and start borrowing your car (and all the money in your wallet).
Our best advice? Don't wait until it's too late to make plans to capture those precious moments. Turn to something like Pixsee to capture all of those fatherhood moments when everything is new. Trust us, it won't be too long before it's going to be hard to get them to go into a picture with you!
Again, no one ever really is ready to be a father. Remember, preparing for fatherhood is an ongoing process, and it's important to continually educate yourself, seek guidance, and embrace the joys and responsibilities that come with being a dad.
Visit our Pixsee Shop and Amazon online store to learn about how Pixsee can help you reserve me-time and capture more precious fatherhood moments.
