You are home from the hospital with the newest addition to your family and everything has changed. You may feel a little left out in the beginning but there are some ways that you can join in and help. Your partner is going to be experiencing many different emotions and will need your support more than ever. The baby has taken center stage and the best thing you can do is jump head first into Daddy land.

Help as much as you can around the house, make dinner, change diapers, and give your baby a bath. It will be as much fun for you as it will be for the baby. It also allows you to have time to bond with your precious gem. When the baby is fussy pick him or her up and find your method to calm them. You will be amazed at how much all the little things you do to help will make a difference. It also gives Mom some time to relax and possibly take a nap because she will probably be exhausted.

If your partner decides to breastfeed she may need some encouragement from you. Breastfeeding can be difficult and frustrating in the beginning for Mom. So if your partner is ready to give up because the baby isn’t latching on to feed and bursts into tears a few words of support will help tremendously.

Lots of hugs with your partner are important. Of course the no sex rule for 6 weeks is always a difficult hurdle but you will both probably be exhausted for the first few weeks so take this time to get as much extra sleep as possible in between night time feedings and diaper changes. Helping with night time duties will benefit both of you. Your partner will be able to get some uninterrupted sleep and be refreshed when it’s her turn to wake up. She will thank you for that little extra time asleep.

Many new Moms will try to do everything themselves. Make a few calls to friends and family and ask them to check in with Mom or stop by. If you are working it might be a great relief for your partner for her Grandma or friend to stop by and take the baby while she rests a little. Women are known for trying to do it all so never tell that you are calling in the troops to help out.

Talk to other Dads about their experience. Log on and chat on some of the great Dad blogs. Spend some time reading articles online, more and more articles geared to new Dads are available now.

Lastly enjoy this time with your partner and new baby. You will be amazed at how quickly time will pass by. Each day new things will happen with your baby so take a moment to reflect on each and every one.