8 minute read
The hands on dad Tips for the first time father
the hands on dad
“You’re going to be a dad!” Words that can strike fear amongst even the toughest of men. Sometimes the overwhelm can outweigh the delight in that moment, but breathe, you’re going to be awesome! With so much information to take in, and seemingly very little hands on help you can give, it’s natural to wonder how on earth you can properly prepare for fatherhood? Whilst your other half spends hours trawling baby websites, buying umpteen books about pregnancy diets, labour and breastfeeding, it’s no surprise you feel a little left out. Remember though, the role of a father starts the second you find out you’re going to be a dad, so put your comfiest shoes on because you’re about to embark on one heck of a journey!
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Reality check
More often than not, until your baby is placed in your arms, it’s hard to imagine what fatherhood will look and feel like. You don’t get the heartburn, you miss out on the cravings and you spend 9 months mostly sitting on the sidelines. However, times are a changin’ and we’re here to show you how Minbie is bringing Dads out of the shadows and into the thick of it.
Put your best foot forward
A great way to begin your journey into fatherhood is to help prepare for the imminent arrival. Getting the nursery kitted out with the essentials, building all the self-assembly furniture that keeps arriving on the doorstep, and making sure that your family has all the breastfeeding support they need from the very start.
The delivery room
Warning!! After months of waiting patiently, dads can then go on to be overlooked in the delivery room. It’s important to remember, as well as being there for much needed support, you play an incredibly important role in helping your family begin their breastfeeding journey from that very first feed. Taking the lead and being prepared with a well thought out hospital bag when your other half goes into labour will be a task you’ll win some serious brownie points for. One thing you mustn’t leave at home are some newborn bottles and teats. Adding these to the bag will ensure you’re #1 Dad even before those tiny little cries are heard!
“Bottles??” I hear you cry
There are many reasons why your baby may need to be given a bottle in hospital and sharing the load with a breast milk bottle will not only give you a chance to feed and bond with your precious new baby, it will also reduce the confusion when switching from breast to bottle and back to breast.
Coping with feelings of inadequacy
Yup! Father’s often find themselves having to find ways to cope with feelings of inadequacy. It’s a given that breastfeeding will create a special relationship between the mother and your baby, so it’s completely natural if you start to feel left out. When given the opportunity to help bottle feed you don’t have to feel useless or miss out on bonding time. You don’t have to miss out on important couple time or worry that your partner is having to go on a work trip. We have helped hundreds of thousands of fathers find their feet from the outset of their fatherhood journey and Minbie is here to support you too! You’ve got this dad!
UK Research tells us that fathers who play, feed, and interact with their babies from day one, not only boost their child’s physical and mental development but also suffer with less stress.
Hospital bag packer: Make it your job throughout pregnancy to research and pack the ultimate hospital bag. Ordering something like Minbie’s Complete Package early on will also enable your family to begin their breastfeeding journey in the very best way possible! Having everything to hand in the hospital bag including your steriliser and breast pump means you can relax knowing everything is covered, but it’s probably best to double check the contents of the hospital bag with mama before you set off, just in case! Hospital Gatekeeper: Make sure that only the people who have been asked to visit get through the doors. Mum and baby may not want streams of visitors coming, so it’s crucial to take note of when mum needs some quiet time and reassure visitors that they will get to see the new arrival, just not right now. Chief Communicator: Whilst you may feel a little left out at times (*totally natural), it’s really important you make sure your other half is being heard and that you truly listen to what is needed from you. Communicating your feelings as well as understanding hers will make those early days easier and strengthen your bond. Remember, this is life changing for both of you, and effective communication is key to nailing it! Mr Supportive: Back scratcher, foot massager, snack deliverer, pillow plumper, great listener, meal preparer, bottle washer, nappy changer, burper (the baby, not you)…. whatever you need to do to maintain a supportive net around your family during these early days of breastfeeding, just get it done. If your baby has established a great breast milk bottle feeding routine you will get to sideline the foot massages, let mum catch up on all that much needed sleep and have even more precious feeding moments of your own.
Hands on helper: Arrange the shopping delivery, fill the car up with fuel, order that UV steriliser you keep looking at online (it’s awesome). Getting the small things done will save time and make life run a little smoother, making certain those first few months don’t turn into a hectic blur. Becoming a hands-on dad means you have given your family the best support from the start line. By introducing Minbie teats when a bottle is needed, you protect your baby’s inborn breastfeeding technique, which is best for their fledgling digestion and to avoid nipple confusion. Minbie is here to help you become the dad you always dreamed you’d be. Check out the complete Minbie range of bottles, teats, pumps and sterilisers, to help support your family through breast and bottle feeding, at minbie.com.au
Established in 1914, St Leonard’s College is one of Australia’s leading independent coeducational schools. Located in the heart of Melbourne’s bayside suburb of Brighton East, it is here that young people are educated in a physically, emotionally and spiritually safe environment where they are genuinely known, nurtured and loved.
The authentic values of the College reflect the community they serve. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning and for the active daily demonstration of the values the school instils.
St Leonard’s students are welcomed into a warm, caring, connected community with an ethical culture founded upon a strong moral purpose – to develop genuine global citizens who respond to inequity, inequality and injustice. As global citizens, students are armed with the necessary skills, values and attitudes required to build an economic and social future in an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world.
St Leonard’s recognises the centrality of developing intellect, building character and learning practical capabilities. There is a strong focus on the development of character and virtue which cultivates empathy and responsibility for all people, the planet and all life that exists. The school seeks to develop selfless citizens who understand that their education is not only about what it can bring to their lives, but through them what it can bring to the lives of others. The result is grounded and well rounded students who seek to make the world in which they live a better place for both themselves and others.
St Leonard’s is unwavering in their commitment to developing the whole child – head, heart and soul. The breadth and depth of the cocurricular program encourages young people to explore their gifts and discover their passions to achieve excellence and fulfilment.
Students enjoy access to outstanding facilities including an indoor swimming pool. 2020 saw the opening of a worldclass performing arts centre, systems engineering centre with two new STEM laboratories, purpose-built year 12 centre and exam space.
Through the diverse programs, advanced scholastic models, and brilliant teachers, St Leonard’s College students are developed to their full potential and believe in their ability to succeed if they give of their best. Consequently, students excel academically and St Leonard’s College is proudly one of Melbourne’s leading academic schools.
Leadership in Education
• St Leonard’s College has established professional learning partnerships with leading world universities including Harvard and University College London. • St Leonard’s College is also the only Australian school invited to engage in the OECD 2030 project – The Future of
Education.
Curriculum
• Reggio Emilia Approach to
Early Learning • International Baccalaureate
Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) • International Baccalaureate
Diploma Program (IBDP) • Victorian Certificate of
Education (VCE) • Vocational Education and
Training (VET)
Academic Extension
• World Scholars Cup • Tournament of Minds • Future Problem Solving • Maths and Science Olympiad • da Vinci Decathlon • Debating and Public Speaking
Cocurricular
• A rich and diverse cocurricular program offers over 100 options ensuring all students are catered for. • This dynamic offering includes clubs, competitions, domestic and international study tours, leadership councils and committees, bands, orchestras, choirs, musicals, plays, camps, and over 35 sports to choose from.
Bayside’s School of Choice
Visit St Leonard’s College
St Leonard’s College is one of Australia’s premier independent co-educational schools, educating students from ELC3 to Year 12.
Join us for a College tour to explore our outstanding facilities and to learn more about how St Leonard’s College can provide your child with an ‘education for life.’
