Being a father is something exciting for future fathers. We don’t know what to do or how we will behave when we become fathers. So, long before we really become fathers, we need to make for preparing for fatherhood.
Our posts are made with the aim of providing a little information to future fathers or to anyone who will soon become a father. If you are still in shock, feel awkward, or don’t know what to do when you become a father, then this article is perfect for you. let’s look at 16 ways to be ready to be a father. Hope it is useful!
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Preparing for Fatherhood, What You Have to Do
1. Do your research
You are not someone who physically holds a baby, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it, you even have to be good at it to be able to help your partner when your baby is born later. Apart from that, there are many things you should know about pregnant women and their children. There are many books out there that teach you to understand the situation of a woman while pregnant or while breastfeeding.
You can also join groups online that talk about pregnancy and adjusting. If you see your wife is pregnant or signs of pregnancy, then you must know how your partner is feeling, so that you want to support and help him.
Likewise about childbirth, read the many resources that can provide a lot of information for you in understanding the character of women during pregnancy. So that you understand the situation and know how you should behave towards your partner during pregnancy.
2. Maintain health
One of the preparing for fatherhood is keep your health. Focus on your health long before your baby is born into this world. If you are a smoker, then start not smoking anymore. Did you know that exposure to cigarette smoke during pregnancy can cause health problems in babies such as the risk of congenital heart defects.
Eat healthily from an early age to maintain your health, enjoy foods rich in fiber that can make you healthy and support your immunity. If it has been a long time since you did a health check-up, start trying it to find out how your health level is.
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3. Play as a team
Be like a team in the family even in all family networks. Whether it’s a friend of your parents, or a friend of your partner. When someone helps your wife, he has also helped you in looking after your family.
Get on well with your wife’s friends, your parents’ friends or everyone in your community. when all is well mingled, you are like a team, then your life and your children will be easy and calm.
4. Talk about parenting with parents
Before a baby is born, you must already know how childcare will be. Are you looking for a baby sister or you will breastfeed yourself. You should share this experience with your parents because they are more experienced than you.
It seems that entrusting children to an entrusted place or someone else is not the right choice. But taking care of it alone with your partner and breastfeeding it is important and challenging for you. babies also need the warmth of their parents to grow in perfect affection.
5. Decide what kind of father you want to be
Not everyone has a good relationship with his father. But if you are lucky enough and have a good father and a good relationship with you. Maybe you want to be like him, and this is great.
However, if you yourself see many things that do not suit your father. Maybe you feel nervous to approach him and talk about many things. But you can approach it your way. You can also choose yourself to be a great father according to your style. It doesn’t matter, the important thing is that you become a great father, whether it is following in the footsteps of your father or you are looking for your own path to become the father you idolize.
6. Find fellow dads
Other Preparing for Fatherhood is finding fellow dads. To add a lot to your experience, it is not wrong if you try to include some dads in your group of friends. You can ask a lot of questions about a father’s experience in living this life. This can be a lesson for you, so that you know how to behave in many ways in your household.
There are online groups, groups on Facebook or in WA, you can share experiences with some of the fathers who were there.
7. Maybe your sex experience has changed
When you become a father or in the waiting period, surely your sex relationship changes. It is based on your wife’s emotional changes during pregnancy. So, you have to understand this situation so that nothing bad happens in the household.
Women who are already pregnant and giving birth naturally also experience changes in their bodies. During birth you also have to wait for your partner’s recovery time. Maybe you have to wait up to 2 or three months. Or maybe you were nervous the first time you did it or you had feelings of confusion and confusion.
You also need to know about the changes that have occurred to both of you. Likewise, changes in the time you rest for both of you for babysitting and other things. For example, lack of sleep, breastfeeding and childbirth. It is necessary to have a good communication between the two partners about a better sex life.
8. Celebrate the milestones
As your pregnancy progresses, try to celebrate it, for example, you can shop for baby items together. This will also add to the relationship between the partners.
Try occasionally you consider holding a bath together, so that the husband can be part of the fun for the wife. Go shopping together, take lots of pictures together so that in the future the impression is very encouraging. Everything you do together can be fun, so do it!
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9. Make preparations for the arrival of the baby
There are many things that must be preparing for fatherhood so that you are ready for all conditions when a new baby arrives at your house. Starting from decorating your house and room, buying essential equipment for the first stage such as baby swings, and various baby games as the baby gets older.
You also need to arrange the room up to the babysitter if needed. Here are some suggestions to be more confident in your preparation for the arrival of your beloved baby.
Some suggestions:
- Learn how to install and use car seats, and teach others voluntarily.
- Call about childcare or insurance
- Paint the nursery and collect furniture
- Find out about the best baby carriers or best infant formulas by visiting The Milky Box
- Take a “about childbirth” class with your partner, and talk to your boss about time off during childbirth.
- Pack the bags and equipment you need to take to the hospital, etc.
10. Share responsibilities
When the baby is born, the obligations will certainly increase. Don’t just talk about it since pregnancy, but continue to apply it after your baby is present in your midst.
Here are some ways to care for newborns
- Changing the baby’s diaper, it is not only during the day but also in the middle of the night if this is necessary.
- Bathe your baby any time he feels uncomfortable
- Read to your baby,
- Bond with the baby all the time
- Choose a special song to sing for the baby
- For Muslims, there is nothing better than reciting the Koran to the baby, even as long as the wife is pregnant, keep doing it until birth.
- Give formula milk if you use exclusive milk
- Bring snacks and drinks to co-parents, etc.