New Dads - How To Be A Supportive Of Breastfeeding

Breasts are best for infants when it comes to their health. As a new dad, you play a vital role. Here are some tips for new dads and how you can  help your partner while breastfeeding.


• Coaching and Praise - "Go Mom Go!" Sounds crazy, however everyone loves coaching and praise. Let her know you love her for all of her efforts to provide the best nourishment for your baby.

• I'm Hungry!!! - Moms and dads learn from baby cues to establish feeding times and schedules. Stay attentive and listen and look for cues.

• Comfort Care - Pillows for support are important. That extra hand while repositioning is a huge help. Find the boppy pillow when it is missing. Moms need to be comfortable. Helping them get in the right position is helpful for latching.

• Help Mom Stay Nourished - Help prepare meals for nourishment along with plenty of fluids. Moms keep their energy levels up when they eat and drink regularly.

• What you can do to help after breastfeeding - Diaper changes are a huge help. Pick up around the house. Mom is tired, and help with the chores goes a long way and reduces stress.

​• Rest is Important - Breastfeeding in the beginning is very often exhausting for mom. She just delivered the baby. Remind her to take naps and rest. She will be appreciative of your efforts.

Remember, breast is best! Be that supportive dad and mom will appreciate your efforts.

Don't Forget The Interactive Toys This Christmas

Dads and their children need to have interactive play time. Video games can cut down interaction, along with the I pads and other technological toys that are big on the Christmas list this year. Here are some gifts that cut down screen time and increase Dad time.

Pop Bottle Science - Here is an inexpensive gift that kids love. All you need is a 2-liter bottle from the recycling bin. I have played with this with my own children. Hours of fun with great activities that enhance learning while having fun.

Board Games - Believe it or not, the board games we played in our generation are quite popular with kids. Clue, Monopoly, Scrabble, Boggle, and Life are just a few. Also, board game clubs are becoming more popular with kids. You can find them at your local library. They have less commercially known games that will surprise you and your kids with their fun and complexity to gaming.

Electronic Circuit Boards - Great for young science minds. You can get kits that allow you to build radios, solar electric projects, an alarm clock, and many projects that expand learning while peaking a child's interest in engineering and science.

Legos - Hugely popular. Lego robotic groups are an amazing learning experience for children and adults. Your kids may start off building a theme such as the batmobile, however as time progresses they will build on their own using imaginative play.

Try to remember to be inclusive in gender roles when buying toys. Girls and Boys benefit from interactive play. Any of the above mentioned suggestions are good for children as a whole to learn from. Your kids will love anything that is hands on and involves you!

Single Dad Tips For The Holidays

Single dads will struggle during the first few holidays. If you were in a long-term relationship, the first few holidays will seem quite foreign to you. Loneliness can sometime happen. Here are a few tips to help you throughout the holidays.

1. Letting go - Believe it or not, you say she wants you back, but guess what, you will go through the same struggles. The sooner you accept the new changes, the better it gets for you and the mom of your child.

2. Split households - If you were in a relationship, sharing the holidays will seem foreign to you. In fact, it will take years to get use to it. Compromise with your ex and work on holiday schedules that work for everyone.

3.  Revisit your fondest memories - believe it or not, your parents may have some traditions that made fond memories from your past. Do not dwell on the present day situation of being single. Take the time to begin new traditions while honoring the past traditions with your children. Traditions are important to a child.

4. Volunteering - Kids learn from example. Consider donating some time at the rescue mission. This can put some context on giving and receiving that are important values for children to learn.

5. Reach out to extended families an friends - You need support just like your children. Reach out to your friends and family during this time of the year. Sharing is caring and sometimes, you will learn your family and friends love having you back again. 

6. Gift giving is not a competition - sometimes, 2 adults separated from their children over the holidays will compete for the love of the children through presents. Whether through guilt or spite, the purchasing of gifts to leverage one parent over another is not a good idea. Talk to you ex about a gift giving plan that is reasonable for both parties. Also, never underestimate the value of your time during the holidays. Purchase simple gifts that can involve dad. Parental involvement is the best gift for a child. Board games, interactive tech toys and models are just a few example of gifts that encourage time together.

7. Let it go!!! The relationship has ended. Christmas is a time that we reflect upon peace and joy. One can not work without the other. Find peace and for your kid's sake, be at peace with their mom. It is important for you to show them the value of respect. Even if you have a toxic partner, you should be the example.

Myths About "Roughhousing:"

There are many myths about fathers and parenting. For example, dads who roughhouse at times can be accused of encouraging their child to be too physical. Somehow, roughhousing leads to physical aggression down the road. In other words, dads get a bad rap for "roughhousing."

Believe it or not, it has many healthy benefits. According to John Snarey, a fathering expert "children who roughhouse with their fathers learn that biting, kicking and other forms of physical violence are not acceptable.³ They learn self-control by being told when "enough is enough" and when to settle down. Girls and boys both learn a healthy balance between timidity and aggression." 

Fathers encourage confidence through play. Children learn risk by taking steps towards confidence. So if you are a fatherhood figure, get in their dad, and play with your kids. They are constantly learning through your examples of play.

The Relationship Ended With Mom, Not Your Child

One of the first tips a newly single dad needs to understand is that their relationship with your child's mom has ended. However, the child you had together is counting on you to be a vital part of their life. From diapers to walking down the aisle when they get married, they want a father figure as a part of their life.

The first few years are daunting. New fathers are scared because of the legal and societal pressures that will be placed on them. In some cases, child support will be used as leverage to sign off on your parental rights. DO NOT allow this to be a part of the discussion within your mind. Seek out father groups and support from family members whenever possible. Help is available if you can connect to the resources that are available in your community.