Congrats — You’re a Dad!
Welcome to the world of mowing the lawn in those chunky, white New Balance shoes at approximately three-hours-too-early-in-the-morning. The world of “Hi hungry, nice to meet you! I’m Dad,” and the infamous (though increasingly likable) ‘bod’.
If you read part 1 of our Prepping for Fatherhood story— what dads need to know BEFORE baby is born— congrats. If you didn't, get in there and catch up. We discussed so many important things that you're seriously late on— like what car seat you need, how to choose a pediatrician and how best to support your partner.
In part 2 we ‘re exploring how to find the best stroller, talking about feeding and giving you guidance on what mistakes dads most make (raises hand).
Best strollers for newborns:
Babies love going for stroller rides, and a little fresh air is going to be super nice for the parents too. There isn’t a right answer here to which stroller to buy, but if you are going to get out and be active with your baby, then it might be worth more of an investment! Try out friends and neighbors strollers, take a few for a spin in the store. You won't believe the difference amongst strollers. Some are made for extra storage space, some are made extra tall for dad and some have special wheels for ‘jogging' (yes, we said ‘jogging'). One stroller we do recommend is the Mockingbird Baby Stroller.
Best baby monitors for newborns:
We are total baby monitor nerds. No, seriously, check out our page on baby monitor reviews. Have humans been raised without the use of baby monitors for literally thousands of years? Yes. Are they super handy and make your life easier? Also yes. The Nanit Baby Monitor is a favorite.
Best books for newborns:
Books are a really common gift from family and friends. Pick out a few of your favorites from your childhood to have early on, but just know you will probably be getting a lot more—which is great! You can start reading to your baby immediately, even if they don’t know what is going on. It not only helps build a bedtime routine so your child knows it’s time to sleep, but it also helps build a bond between you and your baby.
Best boogie gear for newborns:
We love this kind of stuff. You will soon find out that babies produce a metric snot ton of boogers/mucus/snot. The Nose Frida is essentially a giant booger-sucking straw, and it can help with sleep and ease discomfort. (For your baby that is. Sucking snot will not help you sleep to our knowledge.)
The soft texture of Boogie Wipes and their natural saline solution makes for a gentle cleanser for your baby’s runny nose. Between these and the Nose Frida, you’ll be set.
Other newborn gear:
Clothing. Your baby will grow fast! Clothing is another thing that you don’t really have to worry about pre-birth because it is a common gift item. (Tip: Do not cut off tags or launder baby clothes until you know it fits.)
Health items. You'll need baby nail clippers, infant thermometers, first aid kit, sterile gauze, and petroleum jelly.
What NOT to buy for newborns:
Stuffed animal for sleeping
A blanket
Anything that promotes co-sleeping
A copious amount of toys (your newborn won't be using them just yet)
How to feed, sleep and move your newborn:
These are the three things you will be doing non-stop with a newborn. They require a lot of sleep, a lot of food, and travel in-between those two things.
Newborn sleep schedule:
Getting a great sleep schedule down will not only help your baby feel better, but it will also significantly reduce your stress levels. We had the pleasure of speaking with a baby sleep expert, and we carefully crafted a course on how to get your baby to sleep. Some important things to know from the beginning is to never co-sleep, never put loose objects (e.g. blankets, stuffed animals, crib bumpers) in the crib with your sleeping baby and to place your baby’s crib in your bedroom for at least the first six months (See the American Academy of Pediatrics).
Feeding your newborn breast milk or baby formula:
When you make a bottle for your baby, with infant formula or breastmilk, it has to be at the Goldilocks temperature–juuuuuust right. The bottle warmer will square that away with a click of a button.
• Wash your hands with soap and water.
• Use sterilized water, bottles, and nipples.
• Add water, then powder (adding powder first won’t leave room in the bottle to measure the correct amount of water). Follow the ratios per the formula instructions.
• Shake to mix thoroughly
• Discard any unfinished formula one hour after feeding begins
Choosing the best infant formula:
This is a topic that a lot of parents struggle with, us at Fathercraft included. The ingredient lists can be so insane, and you have to wonder if the random name-brand products are okay for your child. Well, we’re here to say that we’ve tried name-brand, organic and (recently) European style formula, and we’ve found success with each one. There isn’t a wrong choice among them.
It is worth testing a few formulas out to see what works for your baby, and what you feel best about. Read the formula labels and make sure you see what you want to see. There are some ingredients to make sure are included (DHA, lactose) and some you do not want included (palm oil, corn syrup).
Supporting your partner during the newborn months:
For dads like John, where formula feeding was a given, feeding was an equal responsibility between him and his partner. It was about mutually supporting each other and working through issues like allergies together.
Paul, on the other hand, admits feeding was a time where he felt helpless at first. He would support his partner by doing other things around the house. Although, nothing will beat the first time he fed his baby: what he refers to as a “surreal experience.”
The most common mistakes new dads make:
We aren’t here to tell you what to do and what not to do. We are here to share our experiences and offer to learn from them.
Here are some things to keep in mind as your life transitions into parenthood:
Don’t close yourself off emotionally. Being affectionate and showing emotion around your children will help build their emotional intelligence. You are your baby’s everything, so showing them that men have emotions can be very powerful.
Don’t be absent. Dad’s are no longer going to sit on the sidelines of parenting. Even if there are things that you can’t do, like give birth or breastfeed, you can still do so much to support your partner and child. Changing diapers, feeding bottles, reading bedtime stories, holding, kissing and playing with your baby are all great ways to be present.
Don’t skimp on sleep! Sleep comes easier for some than others, but everybody needs it. We continually stress how important a good sleep schedule is for your baby because the more the baby gets, the more you get. Also, as tempting as having a couple beers after the baby falls asleep is, don’t fall into that habit too hard! You don’t have to give up late night ice cream and Netflix forever, but while you have a newborn, it is worth putting that aside.
The takeaway for all new dads:
There will be tears. Tears from stress, anxiety, and uncertainty. But also tears from joy, fulfillment, and the most pure love you’ll ever experience.
Take in a lot of information, choose what works best for you, and just keep going. It’ll be a really, really awesome ride. Good luck, Dad.
The content on this site is for informational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Discuss any health or feeding concerns with your infant's pediatrician. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay it based on the content on this page.
Congrats on your little nugget! I’d love to capture this huge milestone for you and your family
and offer multiple options based on your family’s needs, including in studio and travel sessions.
Cumberland and Deep Creek Newborn Photography can happen in my studio or in your home.
I offer both posed and lifestyle photography sessions, depending on your preference. I have years
of experience with newborns and the delicate art of newborn photography.
I adore babies and this time in your journey can be quite overwhelming
so let’s chat about how to capture your little dreamer so you can savor their itty bitty-ness forever.
Studio newborn sessions start at $375 for a mini session and $650 for a full session.
Lifestyle newborn sessions are $400. If you’re ready to book a session,
fill out the form below, and I'll send you more info.
If you’re looking for newborn mentoring, I offer that!
Get in touch, and we can help you work on your baby photography skills.
hello, baby!
hello, baby!
Congrats on your little nugget! I’d love to capture this huge milestone for you and your family and offer multiple options based on your family’s needs, including in studio and travel sessions. Cumberland and Deep Creek Newborn Photography can happen right in my studio on Greene Street. I offer both posed and lifestyle photography sessions, depending on your preference.
I have years of experience with newborns and the delicate art of newborn photography.
I adore babies and this time in your journey can be quite overwhelming so let’s chat about how to capture your little dreamer so you can savor their itty bitty-ness forever.
newborn photography.
If you’re looking for newborn mentoring, I offer that! Get in touch, and we can help you work on your baby photography skills.
Extra support from family and friends goes a long way when a newborn is seriously ill.
When I first began working as a nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit, I was overwhelmed with the machines, the noises and the constant activity. I had four children of my own and I had never experienced an ICU of any type. I was terrified.
But what gradually eased my fears and allowed me to learn to relax was the sight of a baby. Babies were the reason I wanted to be a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse. Since I was a young girl, I had envisioned myself caring for sick babies. A special nurse taught me something that I used for years as I introduced distraught parents to their newborn. She taught me to understand that no matter what the baby’s problems were or how many problems the baby had, the parents were welcoming a new joy into their lives. They imagined and dreamed of this momentous occasion for so long. My role was congratulating the new parents on the birth of their baby.
Simple.
No matter what, they deserved and needed to hear congratulations first, before I did anything else.
That became my practice.
I have discovered over the decades of being a NICU nurse that there's always something positive to bring to their attention, despite the whooshes and beeps of monitors. “I think her hair is almost just your same color.” Or, “Wow, look at his beautiful hands. His fingers are long and slender; I wonder if that will be for piano playing or throwing a football one day?”
Even more important than recognizing the beauty of the baby’s hair or hands, is to simply ask, “Have you chosen a name yet?”
Those crib cards over a bassinet haven’t changed much over the years. Most still have a place for Baby Boy or Baby Girl ________, a place for the birth weight and the pediatrician’s name.
And, unless we pay close attention, that baby will be referred to as Baby Smith or Baby Jones until someone asks the simple question and the baby’s name is then handwritten in the space. Then the baby becomes a person: a tiny person, but a person to be loved and called by name.
So whether you're a nurse, a caregiver or a friend, remember these helpful acts can provide support for parents of a baby in the NICU:
1. No matter the diagnosis or the prognosis, congratulate the parents.
3. Call the baby by his or her name.
4. The family will need help and attention for many weeks to come; NICU hospitalizations can be long. You can help with many things. Some ideas:
• Sending meals to their home.
• Babysitting other children so mom and dad can visit.
• Taking care of the family's pets.
• Bringing bags of snacks for the waiting rooms.
• Giving a bag of coins for the vending machines, or generic gift cards so that families can pay for quick meals.
• Showers of greeting cards are always welcome.
That extra touch from family and friends is a treasure.
Marlee Crankshaw has worked in nursing for more than 30 years at Vanderbilt. A mother and a grandmother, Crankshaw serves as the Administrative Director for Neonatal Services for Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, which includes both Newborn Nursery and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
