From One Dad to Another

With Father’s Day coming up this month we asked our Daddy readers for some top tips for Dads- to-be and New Daddies!

So here are five top tips for Daddies-to-be

Most of our Dads mentioned time – and how precious it is, make the most of your time before baby arrives! You will be surprised how much time such a little person can take!
Due dates are exactly that - due dates not delivery dates – this is the first in a long line of things that you have no control over whatsoever!
Spend quality time with your partner. There is going to be a little something between you soon! Take time to discuss how having a baby is going to change your lives!
But there again of course nothing can fully prepare you for fatherhood so it’s best just to relax and enjoy it.
Remember to tell your partner how beautiful she is and how proud you are of her – at least every five minutes particularly towards the end when she is feeling, and let’s face it, looking like a beautiful blooming hippopotamus!

And for the bleary eyed Dads who have just joined the ranks…

Forget sleep – for at least the next four years! Yes four years…a full night’s sleep is cause for celebrations and let’s face it, if this is your first baby there could well be another one on its way by the time the first one actually gets that he/she is supposed to sleep when it’s dark!
Spend time with your baby, make eye contact, talk to, cuddle and rock your baby. There is nothing that you can’t do apart from breastfeed…and that does include nappy changes! We all know they are yuck! But it’s your baby so you get to do the honours…and for those of you with little boys watch out for the peeing!
Don’t waste money on every baby gadget going – put some in the bank for when they reach teenage years and really start costing you!
Be prepared for the changes in your partner, she has just been on the biggest journey of her life, she may have experienced many things during her pregnancy and labour. If you feel left out try and speak to her about it but without putting any pressure on her!
Take lots of photographs! You won’t believe how much this little baby is going to change over the next few years or how fast they are going to grow up!

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