Top Tips For New Dads

Your life is about to change, but if you follow these tips for new dads they'll help you come out on top!

This is the first page that I have written specifically for men, about to become dads all around the world!

Becoming a new father will be a strange experience. You're life is about to change more than you could ever realise, and I have decided to to write some new dad tips to help keep you in your partners good books in the first few days. OK, it's a wonderful time, a new baby that you're so proud of, but it's also a hard and tiring time. There are a few things that I'm going to advise you to do to help make your partners life easier, and if you make her life easier she will love it, and no doubt love you for it.

Top tips for new Dads - Know when to take control!

• Before your baby is born, talk to your partner about her birth plan, know what she wants during labor and how she wants it done. When things really get going during labor your partner may be too tired or too involved with her labor to talk to her midwife or doctor, talk to your partner and be her voice with the medical professionals.

• Once your baby is here, and you've made the journey home, make sure things will run smoothly for the first few hours. If your partner isn't breastfeeding then make up some formula ready for baby's first feed at home. Make sure that baby's sleeping area is ready, the last thing your partner will want to do is make bottles and find herself making up the cot or Moses basket!

• Give your partner some time for herself while you watch the baby. Run her a bath, or suggest she has an early night while you give baby her last feed (this will also give you and baby some bonding time)

Top tips for new dads - visiting time?

• Talk to your partner and find out if she really wants a dozen visitors as soon as she gets back from the hospital! Nothing will bring people calling at the door faster than a new baby! If she wants a bit of peace and quiet, put visitors off for a few days.

• Does your partner really want to take that phone call? Find out - There's nothing worse than an overbearing relative phoning with advice when all your partner wants to do is put her feet up and have a rest!

New dad tips - Shhhh listen!

• Your partner has gone through a very traumatic ordeal (as much as some guys like to think that it's 'just like shelling pea's') You have to understand then when she bursts out crying for no reason it really isn't your fault! (unless you have done something wrong!) Hormones are racing about all over the place and your partner may be sore, tired and overwhelmed even, so try to reassure her, even if she does scream at you!

• Talk talk talk.... you and your partner should try and talk about your feelings. I know she isn't the only one who has a new baby! So do you, and you may be feeling overwhelmed too. So try and get through this new phase together by being open and honest.

Top tips for new dads - The quick tips to save you time!

• Stock up your cupboards - and your freezer too! Make sure you have plenty of basics for yourself and your partner, plenty of ready meals too. The last thing either of you will feel like doing in the first few days is cooking a full roast!

• Make sure that you have everything that baby will need, nappies, wipes, cotton wool, nappy cream, a full list can be found here. Most of these should already be installed around your house, but make sure you have plenty of the basics.

• Do yourself a huge favor and buy some infacol or something similar. If your baby starts to scream the house down at midnight and you realise it's colic, you will need something to help (and no one wants a trip to Tesco in the middle of the night!) This is one of the new dad tips that you really should note, colic can disrupt the whole house.

• Keep a list of phone numbers handy, midwife, doctor, close friends and relatives, just in case you need them.

Top tips for new dads - a perfect ending

A new baby will cause a certain amount of change whether you like it or not, the main goal is to try and stick together, talk things through and know how you feel about each other. Reassure your partner as much as you can, and tell her how you feel too.

As women we don't expect our partners to be perfect! (really!) But it is nice to know that they can support us emotionally especially in those first few days as new parents, whether it's your first baby or your an old hand at the parenting thing.

For more reading on becoming a dad, a first time dad should really read up on what to expect, then there are some great books below. These books will give you all the top tips for new dads. They can be purchased at your local book store or on-line.

Or if you prefer watching a DVD to reading then try these:

Last of all.... Congratulations, you're a dad! How exciting, spend as much time as you can bonding with your new baby, and don't forget to keep a special bond with your partner too!

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