Womb to Bloom - Maternity & Beyond

We all know what mom is supposed to do on the big day. She’s the one with the baby. But what’s dad’s job? Your childbirth class may have prepared you both for certain aspect of the delivery process – breathing, focusing, pushing and the like. But when that day actually comes, there’s much more to birthing than contractions and pushing. Oh, contractions and pushing are still the biggest thing going on your baby’s birthday. But dad has a few more roles than breathing coach.

It’s four A.M. when I get the call. My feet hit the floor and I’m half way out of the room before my eyes ever open for the first time. Somehow I manage to trip at least twice as I pad through the house, even though I’ve walked this path before. The door opens and I can see a tiny fist waving angrily in the air and tired little tear-streaked eyes meet mine as I bend over the crib. “It’s okay,” I tell her, “Daddy’s here.” And I couldn’t be happier about it.

#1: “Wow, you look like a beached whale.”
True story: I’m lying on the bed, its August and I’m eight months pregnant in this God-forsaken town where nobody has air conditioners, waking up from a nap.  I open my bleary eyes to witness this incredibly stupid thing coming from my usually-intelligent husband.

Okay, boys, let’s get this straight: there’s really not any circumstance in which this is a wise statement from you; but do not be so rash as to let it escape you while your wife is pregnant.  For obvious reasons.

When a new mom decides to try breastfeeding, most new dads breathe a sigh of relief, say that’s just one of those things they can’t do, and look forward to a good night’s sleep. However, there are a lot of ways that dad, and anybody else that’s around for that matter, can make life easier for the breastfeeding mom. Print off this list and give it to the new dad so he knows practical ways to help his partner while she is feeding the baby.