Dad-To-Be Checklist

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Waiting for the baby to arrive is an exciting and nerve-wrecking time for everyone, including Dad. As much as Mom has to do, Dad has some stuff to take care of as well and it is just as important.

Here’s a handy checklist for Dad so you can start off on the right foot from day one.

Get familiar with your insurance- Mom and Dad need to discuss health insurance. If you both carry separate insurance, you need to decide which policy the baby is going to be on. Evaluate the costs and coverage for both plans.
Pick a hospital- Once you are sure of your insurance, time to pick a hospital. Make sure it is in network. You don’t want those out-of-network surprises if you can avoid them!
Talk to your employer about parental leave- Check with your HR department for your employer’s leave policy. Some companies offer additional benefits or resources that you can take advantage of. At a minimum, in the US we have FMLA or the Family and Medical Leave Act. This allows you to take up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave under qualifying events. the birth of a new child is one of them. The bad news? It’s unpaid…
Tour the hospital- Any other time outside of a pandemic, expecting parents can usually take a hospital tour to get oriented with where to go when it’s time.
Sign up for a parenting class- Parenting classes are a great way to learn all the ins and outs of being a new parent. You will be surprised at what you may learn in those few classroom hours, even if you thought you were good to go. For the truly uninitiated, this includes basics like diapers, feeding, swaddling, sleep schedules, etc. Some classes are offered as a multi-session experience while others are a single day cram session. There is usually a small-to-moderate fee involved. The program is $50 at our local hospital and covers Mom and one support person. My wife and I were very glad that we took the time to do a Saturday cram class.
Talk with Mom about sleep schedules- Sleep is about to get a whole lot more valuable as a new parents. Unfortunately, babies are not known for their convenient sleep schedules. The good news is that most babies want to sleep a lot. However, be prepared to get up multiple times per night. If you are bottle feeding, Dad can take a shift at night. If you choose to breastfeed, Mom is definitely going to be pulling the heavier load here. Pumping will be a sleepsaver here.
Meal plan for the first couple of weeks- Even if there is nothing else you think you can do to help, you can keep the fridge stocked and hot food on the table. Whether it’s just a frozen pizza or a four course meal for two, good food will keep spirits and morale up. Mom is going to need some pick-me-ups during those first few weeks. Here is a time to shine. She will thank you.