Making Mistakes

Everyone makes mistakes, and new dads are no different. Many dads feel like they don’t know what they are doing, so they shy away from doing certain tasks and let the mother or grandmothers feed and change the baby. New dads often become more of a mother’s assistant instead of a father.

Accept that mistakes are going to happen. Even new mothers are going to make mistakes—it’s all a part of parenthood. There are no written instructions that come with your child, so you are going to have to learn what he or she likes and dislikes by just experimenting with the way you hold and play with your baby. Some common mistakes include not bringing extra diapers, running out of formula in the middle of the night, putting a diaper on incorrectly or not holding the baby correctly. When mistakes happen, resolve to do better next time and move on.

Don’t be afraid to ask advice from others too, especially your own dad. Most men think if they do something wrong, they are going to damage the child for life. Not true. All new dads go through the same fears and learning curve. Just dig in and have fun with your child and you will know your baby better than anyone in no time at all.