3 Helpful Tips to Keep a New Dad Sane | Bella Baby Photography


Did you know that June is National Men’s Health Month? Whenever we talk about new babies, conversations about newborns and mother’s health are not far behind. At Bella Baby Photography, we know that Dad’s health matters too! It’s common for both mom and dad to feel overwhelmed with all of the changes that happen with a new baby. Here are some tips men can use to help settle in with a new baby and keep stress at a minimum.

Skin-to-Skin Contact
One of the first things a new dad can do is bond with his baby. How can you do that? Hold your baby skin-to-skin, dads. Studies indicate that when a parent holds their child skin-to-skin, the act can stabilize their heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure, while also maintaining an ideal body temperature. This act of soothing your baby is a great bonding experience that greatly benefits fathers and their babies. As early as possible, make it a regular habit to hold your baby, with them wearing just a diaper, and your shirt removed.

Lean in to Research
No one expects a new dad to know how to do everything. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You can read books about parenting a newborn, join online communities about new babies, and ask friends and family with baby experience to show you some of the basics. Some of those basics include: how to hold your baby, how to change a diaper and onesie, how to feed, burp and bathe baby, and how to safely put them to sleep. By the way, learning some of these skills won’t just improve your bond with baby–it will also benefit your relationship with your wife!

Keep Calm and Daddy On
If you want to stay sane in those early days of parenting a newborn, you’ll need to focus on remaining calm when your baby cries so you can soothe him or her. To help yourself stay calm, always try to determine the cause of their crying first. Here’s a mental checklist to get you started:

  • Wet or dirty diaper?

  • Is baby tired?

  • Hungry?

  • Need to burp or expel gas?

  • Is baby too hot or cold?

  • Could the clothes be too tight or scratchy?

  • Is baby lonely?

  • Does baby have a fever?

  • Is baby overwhelmed and in need of decompression?

We hope these ideas help inspire you daddies-to be! Adjusting to life after having a new baby is challenging but possible–we promise. If you’re expecting your own new baby, visit our website to learn more about our professional photography services to help capture your growing family’s most important milestones.