Preparing for Fatherhood: Tips and Advice for New Parents
Becoming a father is an incredible time in a person's life, but it can also come with its fair share of challenges and unexpected obstacles. As you become a parent and begin the journey of fatherhood, it’s important to ask questions and prepare yourself for all of the life changes that come with it. In this article, we will give you 12 tips to prepare for the arrival of your little baby, as well as how to navigate the basics of baby care.
12 tips that will help you prepare for fatherhood
At Fephas, we pride ourselves in baby care essentials and understand the importance of this phase of parents' lives. We’re here to provide support and guidance, making sure you are fully equipped to handle your fatherhood experience.
Start doing research and connect with a community
It is a good idea to spend time researching pregnancy, childbirth, and baby care. You can read books, as well as articles like this one, and even connect with a community by attending parenting classes or participating in online forums. You may even want to share your experience with other parents who can provide advice and insight to you on this exciting new journey.
Maintain your health
As a father-to-be, your well-being is crucial. It is extremely important that you’re eating a healthy diet and watching your eating habits, exercising, and getting enough sleep. Although rewarding, parenting will likely be a challenging experience initially, and staying on top of your mental and physical health will enable you to be an engaged and capable father.
Start talking early about parenting with your partner
Having regular, open, and honest communication with your partner is fundamental to your success as co parents. You two will want to discuss your hopes, expectations, and concerns, as well as touching on your parenting styles, values, and potential responsibilities. This level of open communication will benefit the both of you, as well as your child.
Helping your partner throughout the pregnancy
Pregnancy will be physically and emotionally challenging for the mother. It is important to offer support as much as you can by attending doctor’s appointments with her, being aware of her needs, and participating in preparing for the baby. Be there for her to listen, help her, and offer encouragement.
Clean up for the new baby
Deep clean your home and create a clean and comfortable living space for your new child. Prepare the baby's new room and prepare your space for the baby by setting up a changing table, baby furniture, and overall baby proofing your home.
Situate your finances
Being a parent comes with financial responsibilities that you did not have before. Create a budget that includes insurance coverage, baby gear (like diapers), and consider setting up a savings account for the child’s future.
Baby gear should be at the ready
You will need to stock up on baby gear and get a lot of the baby essentials, like an infant car seat, a stroller, a crib, a high chair, a diaper caddy, and of course, diapers. Make sure you familiarize yourself with all of the above. Having all of these items before the child arrives will make your transition into parenthood easier and more streamlined.
Share responsibilities and advocate for your partner
Remember that parenting is a shared journey between you and your partner – and your role is just as vital as mom’s. Be as involved as you possibly can by sharing responsibilities like diaper changes, feeding, and the nighttime cry job.
Plan to celebrate your baby’s milestones
Having a baby is an exciting time for many reasons, and one of those reasons is getting to live through many milestones. Plan to be present and actively celebrate those milestones. Capture as many photos and videos as you can for each one, and remember to cherish them. After all, they only happen once!
If you plan on traveling with the baby, get the car ready!
Install an appropriately sized and properly fitted infant car seat in the back seat of your car and familiarize yourself with the car seat so that you can rest easy knowing that your baby is safely secured in it. Lastly, make sure to check the car seat regularly to ensure that it doesn't come loose at any point during use. It can also be helpful to pack a bag of baby essentials when traveling!
Understand that your relationships with others will change
Becoming a father takes up a lot of your time and brings a number of significant life changes. With these changes, your personal relationships will change as well, especially as your priorities shift and more of your time is spent with your child. If you are friends with any experienced fathers or other parents, embrace yourself with their support, and seek their guidance. It is very important for you to have a good network around you as you grow as a new parent.
There is no one right way to be a father
The last thing we want you to know is that there is no one right approach to fatherhood. Every father, every child, and every relationship is uniquely different. Trust your instincts, be flexible and adaptable, and embrace the time you will have with your child. Most importantly, remember to have a good time.
Preparing to be a parent can be tough, Fephas is here to help guide you through it!
Parenting can be tough, but you don’t have to go through it alone. At Fephas we are happy to provide all potential, new, and experienced parents with resources and quality essentials to support you and your family as you navigate parenthood.