Tips For New Dad

By Alice Noman

* A new mom after childbirth goes through several emotional ups and down. Watch out for the signals of postpartum depression and give your love and support in each way. Support her with breastfeeding.

* Help her with the household chores and with the baby too as her body needs proper rest and sleep to recover soon. Let her take as much rest as she can. Keep a tab on the baby when she takes her afternoon nap.

* Discuss the "When should I call the pediatrician?" question at your first visit to the health care provider.

* A father can do everything a mom can, except breastfeeding such as playing with the baby, feeding baby, changing diapers, soothing a crying baby anything that a baby needs.

* Share some time alone with your spouse, hold her hands, go out for a nice walk, a gentle kiss, cooing loving thoughts in the ear will keep the romance alive in between you.

* If you feel you are left out due to addition of new member in the family then talk to your partner who would be not doing it on purpose.

* Talk to baby, sing song and don’t feel shy or embarrassed in doing so. Baby will bond with you and will quickly learn to associate your voice with safety and security.

* Take shifts with your wife. Decide beforehand who will get up first with the baby. At night bring baby to her rather then she going to baby.

A previous research showed that having skin to skin contact between a father and his newborn baby can help develop positive feeding and sleeping patterns in babies born by caesarean section.