30 Tips for new fathers

Parentwonder.com has a list of 30 tips for new fathers, before, during and after delivery.

Of the range of items on the list, a few stand out to me.

 3.    The lovely foot rub: Fluid retention and swollen legs are par for the course in pregnancy.  A foot rub can be as valuable as a diamond necklace to a pregnant woman, especially if it’s done with love.  Similarly, a shoulder massage or even allowing her some time off her feet will be just as welcome.

My wife loves foot massage and always feels much better after I give her one. The problem is I can’t get her to stop asking for them.

5.    Prenatal classes: Particularly if it’s your first baby, your partner will want to attend prenatal classes so that the whole pregnancy/childbirth scenario is not a shock to the system.  It’s important that you attend along with her, not just to learn the same things but also to show your support for what she will be going through physically.

You will undoubtedly learn something in these classes that you might not be able to glean from reading and general advice. They may seem boring at times, but are well worth the effort.

 7.    The nursery: Naturally, setting up the nursery is something you’ll want to discuss and do together.  Make it a priority so that it’s one less thing to think about as the pregnancy enters the final stages.  Painting should be done early on and other furnishings can be arranged as the money is available or when on sale.  Help hang curtains, install shelves and generally prepare the nursery for readiness.

Start far enough in advance is my advice for nursery renovations. At least double your time estimate. Not pregnant yet? Perfect time to start.

Check out the rest of the list at Parentwonder.