advice for my hubby (dad to be)

makaelashook2

Like most men I know, becoming a daddy for the first time is scary...
My hubby seems nervous but is "playing it cool" I recently found out his biggest fear... holding our baby when he makes his arrival. He says he's afraid he'll break our son...
Seriously. Poor guy. Any advice I can give him?

giggler25

My hubby and I were both very surprised to hear the hospital nurses reassure DH that newborns are not as fragile as you think they are. As long as you support their neck and back they will be fine. There are a couple short videos on YouTube that I had my DH watch when our LO arrived. Good luck and congrats!!!

ashiscute

Have you taken or are you taking a childbirth class?  The one through our hospital included a newborn care class that dealt with some of the basics.  

Honestly, once the baby is born he'll feel much better about the holding him.  There's really no way to get ready for that.  DH was great with our babies but he still doesn't like holding other people's babies.  

mle106

I got my hubs the book Be Prepared. It's a humorous (but practical) book on babies and parenting geared toward dads, and although we are still months from our due date he likes reading it.

milomia

Perhaps have him sit down and hold him/her first, some people for more comfortable with this and then afterwards they feel better about standing and holding a newborn.

When its your own I think you just do it, scary is other people's babies..

aehl14

Have him watch the nurses clean the baby when your son is born. They have years of experience and are definitely not afraid at all of hurting the baby. My daughter was all over the crib, on the scale, who knows where else and it was shocking to see how they handled her. If he's afraid to pick your son up have a nurse show him how a few different ways and a few different holds. They'll watch him try and make suggestions from there. Its all a matter of finding what works for both of you. My daughter is 8 weeks old and he still doesn't understand how to put her on his shoulder but with me that's all she wants. Your son will recognize who is holding him and adapt.

Everything is trial and error. Just wait until he gets pooped/peed on, then he'll have a whole new fear! Remember Laughter is key :-)

all the best!