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Brand-new Army fathers may wonder which is harder, being a Soldier or being a dad — if, that is, they have the energy to wonder about anything at all.
Sleepless nights, crying babies and dirty diapers can make any father worried about whether he will make it through. But fear not, Dad, for you are not alone.
A dad needs to stay strong for both his new baby and his wife. A dad needs to be there at 2 a.m. when his wife needs help changing a diaper that has failed or to clean up the wall next to the changing table when — well, you’ll find out!
Here are some tips for brand-new fathers that will make life easier and help keep everyone happy.
Every baby and every family is different, so what works for some might not work for others — new parents need advice, but they also need to figure out the right way for them and their baby.
Tip 1: Be Patient
Babies can be very frustrating at times because they cannot tell us what is making them cry. Parents will eventually start to see patterns and understand what the cries and body movements mean. Until then, try taking several deep breaths while figuring it out.
If one thing doesn’t seem to be working, try something else.
Tip 2: Try These Techniques For Soothing Crying Babies
New babies are still adjusting to life outside the womb. It will seem like they are crying for no apparent reason. There are many reasons why they cry, but here are a few common things to check:
• Newborn babies need to be kept warm. Keep a hat on their heads most of the day for about three to four weeks.
• Yes, the baby could already be hungry again. Newborns have very small stomachs and don’t require much food, so they want to eat more often. Don’t be surprised if your baby is eating every two hours. (So much for sleep!)
• Change that diaper. Nobody wants to lie around in their own waste, and that includes babies.
• Babies sometimes need alone time. If your baby is fed and changed but still crying and fidgeting in your arms, try just laying her down in the bassinet or crib and leaving her alone.
• For breast-fed babies, certain foods can cause gas, making them uncomfortable and upset. A change in diet can help. If your baby has gas, try pumping his legs lightly into his tummy to help work out the gas.
Remember that a baby is very fragile and should never be shaken.
If your baby is crying non-stop and you just can’t handle it anymore, put the baby down in the crib and leave the room for a few minutes. Collect yourself and try again.
It is never OK to shake a baby or put a baby in a dangerous situation.
Tip 3: Do Your Part, Dad.
A happy mom and baby will result from a father’s involvement in the care of the baby and the family home. Don’t wait to be asked to help clean up the house or change a diaper. Volunteer to take care of things such as bathing the baby or doing some laundry.
A father who takes pride in his new role will feel better about himself and be a better dad. He will also make his wife happy, and everyone knows, “If Momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!”
Being a father is one of the greatest, most rewarding things us men can do in life.
A Soldier has many responsibilities, but none will be more important than raising that wonderful child of yours. It will be hard with deployments and travel, but you can do it. Never give up, always be prepared to help and enjoy this amazing addition to your family.
For additional information, see Boot Camp for New Dads at www.bootcampfornewdads.org.
“Boot Camp for New Dads is a unique father-to-father, community-based workshop that inspires and equips men of different economic levels, ages and cultures to become confidently engaged with their infants, support their mates and personally navigate their transformation into dads,” according to the Web site.
