Top Tips for new Dads

Pregnancy and welcoming a new baby isn’t just a time of change for the mum. So we asked Thomas from Edinburgh based charity Dads Rock for his top tips for new dads.

Having a baby is an exciting time, it can be a real rollercoaster of emotions and experiences even before your baby is born. You’ve probably already had people give you unsolicited advice on what to do and what not to do. The truth is, things are constantly changing with babies, and what was a good thing to do last year, may no longer be the best thing.

At the same time, it’s hard to know who to listen to, and depend upon. I’ve been lucky enough to have had two children with my wife. It’s been an experience like no other, it really does change you as a person, for the better. Based on my 14 years as a Dad and over a decade working with expectant and new dads I hope these tips help you to feel confident when the time comes for you.

1. Believe in yourself

Dads play a hugely important role in the lives of their children. There’s so much research to back this up and show that children need good, positive, engaged Dads. Your baby doesn’t know more than you, you’re the grown up, they will always look up to you and believe in you, so believe in yourself and your actions and it’ll help you find your feet.

2. No one has all the answers

Health professionals rock! They are the experts when it comes to all the medical stuff to do with your baby, so I’m always going to speak to them if I’ve any questions. However, no one person has all the answers. No one knows your baby better than you and mum. The phrase ‘ It depends’ does a lot of heavy lifting when it comes to babies, as, well, babies are variable! They are people after all and can change what they need from minute to minute.

3. Communication is key

You and Mum need to be on the same page, at all times! This can be hard especially if you’re a wee bit sleep deprived. Keep talking to each other, and checking in with one another. It can be hard for us men to be vulnerable and let people know we don’t know what we’re doing. However, from my own personal experience, that’s where the learning comes from. Feel the fear, and do it anyway!

I hope this has helped you, and if you’d like to learn more and talk with other Dads and Dads to be get in touch

email: [email protected]

Dads Rock are an Edinburgh based charity who support dads to be, new dads, young dads, gay dads, single dads, trans dads, ALL DADS!

They offer a wide range of in person and online workshops including ante-natal classes, hairdressing workshops, first aid and more.

Dads Rock run weekly playgroups in Edinburgh and Glasgow open to Dads and children from birth to school age.

Weekly Dads in the wood sessions run weekly in Edinburgh and Glasgow. See their website for full details.

They also have a closed whatsapp group for Dads to join and chat with other Dads and Dads to be.