Tips to Get the New Dad to Help with Baby

The modern Dad needs to share in all of the parenting responsibilities.

Gone are the days when Dad worked, Mom stayed home with the kids and when Dad came home he put on his slippers , smoked a pipe and read or watched TV. Most families are two income families . If Mom is to go back to work, Dad has to do his fair share of the work. There 's no time like the beginning to break in a new Dad. The minute baby comes home, the roles need to be established and the partnership begun. Even if Mom has maternity leave , Dad needs to start shouldering his responsiblities asap.

Tip One:When you shop for baby accessories, find a masculine diaper bag like a messenger bag, so Dad won't be embarrassed carrying a feminine bag. Try to find accessories that are sports oriented like our basketball and football theme baby wipe cases. Find a wipe case with his favorite team and make it a special gift for him to use when it's his turn for diaper duty.

Many Dad's wonder how they will balance Fatherhood a work Striking a semblance of balance between the office and family life is a juggling act for every working parent. Dads, though, may find it especially difficult. Moms can often take up to 12 weeks maternity leave, but many men can swing only a few days out of the office. Even those who have paternity leave may be afraid to take the time because they worry about damaging their career.

Tip Two:

Help Dad Deal: Encourage your partner to broach paternity leave with his boss as early as possible and to take all the time he's entitled to, says Kyle Pruett, M.D., author of Fatherneed: Why Father Care Is as Essential as Mother Care for Your Child. Remind your guy that most employers simply want the work to get done; they're less concerned with when you do it. You and your husband can brainstorm solutions to his job situation.

New moms have a clear advantage over dads: You live with a little creature inside you for nine months and, thanks to nursing, often spend more time getting to know him in the early days. Many Moms have baby sit or taken care of younger siblings. For most men, feeding, bathing, diapering, and soothing a newborn are usually uncharted territory .

Tip Three:

Let the new Dad acccompany you to parenting classes. Perhaps, you can babysit a newborn together before you give birth .Always be encouraging. Let him know that you're learning on the job, too, and that he'll do fine as long as he makes the effort. Offer a tutorial on, say, bathtime, if he needs one, then have him take over while you catch a nap or meet a friend.

If your partner is used to going out with his buds twice a week or hitting the gym whenever he pleases, you need to break it to him (gently) that those days are over.

Tip Four:

Soften the blow by letting your spouse know he can have a night out every now and then, as long as you get your fair share of furloughs too.

Tip Five:Look for a baby blanket that he can find fun . Use a baby blanket with a sports theme and he will enjoy wrapping baby in a football or basketball blanket.