Preparing for Fatherhood: 12 Practical Tips for Fathers

If you’re preparing to become a father, it is important to be informed. You don’t want to go into it blindly. There are many things that you need to have prepared. Over the years, I’ve joked with my friends and family members that I was going to be the best dad ever.

However, after I became a father, that statement was not so funny anymore. There was so much I didn’t know and so much responsibility I had. In fact, in my post on preparing for fatherhood, I’ve given tips on how to be a good dad.

You have to be ready for the sleepless nights, change of eating habits, and unexpected expenses. All in all, it’ll be a different life than the one you are used to. If you are prepared, you will be able to handle it a lot better.

12 Tips for New Fathers

Here’s a list of 12 tips for new fathers and fathers-to-be. They are geared toward young men, but that doesn’t mean that men who are a little more experienced shouldn’t take note. Some of the items on this list might change the way you view fatherhood.

1 – Prepare to be Surprised

Fatherhood comes with a lot of surprises. Don’t expect anything to go as planned and be ready for any surprises. In the past, I expected a lot of things to happen. For instance, I didn’t realize my wife would be breastfeeding for so long. I also didn’t expect to be changing so many diapers on an infant. The number of diapers I changed in the first week alone was insane!

2 – Look into Childcare

Before the baby is born, it is a good idea to get started on your research on child care. I didn’t have any experience with children (other than my younger cousins) but I was quickly overwhelmed by the duties of taking care of a baby. I’m not saying that you need to hire a nanny, but you should start looking into it.

If you already have a maid or a nanny, make sure that they know how to take care of a baby. For instance, my wife and I hired a maid service to clean our home and do the laundry. When the baby came home from the hospital, we were able to transition more easily because the maid service helped out so much with the everyday tasks.

3 – Start A Diaper Fund

Before the baby is born, start a diaper fund. My wife and I have a separate checking account that we use for savings. With this account, we could each add our own money and by the time the baby was born, we had saved quite a bit of money for diapers. We found ways to save money like using coupons and buying in bulk. By the time the baby was born, we were set for a number of months.

4 – Prepare for the Baby’s Feedings

While you are at it, you should prepare for the baby’s feedings. Babies can’t talk, so you need to learn how to read their body language – and their crying. It’s a good idea to read your baby’s feeding cues so that you can anticipate when the baby needs to be fed.

Just because the baby is crying, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the baby is hungry. Some babies cry for attention, so you need to learn these cues before taking the baby to be fed.

5 – Get a Diaper Bag

After the baby is born, get a diaper bag. Whether you are using cloth diapers or disposable diapers, you’ll have to have a place to keep them. A diaper bag makes this task a lot easier.

The first bag that I bought for my wife was a Fawn Design diaper bag. It was a great bag, but it was a little too small. It’s got a lot of space and it looks sporty at the same time. Plus it has lots of pockets!

6 – Be Prepared for the First Year

You need to prepare for the first year of your baby’s life. I remember a friend asking me how I was prepared for the first year of my baby’s life. At the time, I didn’t think I was prepared. However, after the baby was born, it was a different story.

For starters, we had a diaper bag packed with diapers and wipes. We had a crib and a baby monitor. We also had a number of other things for the baby, such as clothes and blankets. By the time the baby was born, my wife and I were ready for the first year. Or so we thought!

7 – Get a Baby Monitor

Having a baby monitor is a must when you have a baby. It helps me sleep easier knowing that I can hear my baby if they’re crying. Plus, it gives me peace of mind knowing that if my wife needs me, she’ll be able to get my attention.

We bought a Summer Infant video baby monitor. It’s a great monitor and it has allowed me to sleep easier. The sound is clear and I can see the baby on the screen, which is a huge help.

8 – Learn about the Baby’s Crying

Even though you have a baby monitor, it’s still a good idea to learn about a baby’s crying. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: babies cry for many reasons. Some cry because they are hungry. Some cry because they are tired. Some cry because they are lonely.

Learning about their cues will help you understand when the baby needs your attention. If you aren’t sure, you can always go in and check on the baby.

9 – Don’t Turn Your Back on Your Wife

If you have a new baby, don’t turn your back on your wife and don’t neglect her. In some ways, your wife will actually need you more than ever. Remember that you’re both in this together, and that you are now a team. She needs your encouragement, not your neglect.

10 – Be a Good Leader and a Man of Faith

Being a good leader is an important part of being a good father. When your child looks up to you, they are going to want to live a good life. They want to be good people who can make a difference in the world. However, I also recommend and suggest that you need to be a man of faith who can help mold your child into a good person. This is your choice, of course, but it can help considerably.

11 – Read Books on Fatherhood

If you are expecting a child, you need to read books on fatherhood. There are many books out there that can help you prepare for fatherhood. You need to find books that will help you understand the keys to being a good father.

12 – Get Some Class

Finally, take some classes on daddyhood and how to prepare for it. I can’t count how many times I’ve gone to an event and seen a father in need of some training. I know that this is something that my wife and I could have used. It would have helped us prepare for the baby’s arrival and helped us get ready for life with a newborn.

There are many classes that you can take online or in person. Just make sure that you take something that will help you to be the best father that you can be.

In Conclusion

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and have learned a few things. If you’re interested in reading more posts, take a look at our blog section. There are a ton of useful articles there.

Thanks for reading!