Embracing Fatherhood- First 10-Month Journey of Love, Learning, and Evolution

I just celebrated my 1st month of Fatherhood....let me rephrase "I just celebrated the 10th month of my Fatherhood". Women have the biological advantage of being able to claim that they experience parenthood before fathers do. Consequently, nurturing may not come as naturally to fathers. It requires the investment of time and effort to up-skill oneself.

Before I became a dad, the thought of supporting my partner who had gone through 9 months of physical and emotional journey along with struggling to soothe my crying baby terrified me.

"I pictured myself pleading with my baby saying, 'What do you want?' so that I help and support my partner immediately.

Companies generally focus on the Maternity programs that are aimed at the mom — discussing what to do during pregnancy and post-delivery, shifting roles, and how to cope with the bundle of emotions motherhood brings. In such scenarios, Paternity programs just become a leave policy for a new father to deal with mounting responsibilities without any guidance.

Anxieties are common to both mothers and fathers during this period. Men also often worry about the hands-on tasks of supporting their partner & and child.

1) How to support the mother during pregnancy and post-delivery

2) How to manage mood swings, emotional turmoil, Physical pain

3) How to hold a tiny baby

4) How to change diapers

5 ) How to bond with the baby

6) How to cope with sleep deprivation, especially after returning to work-Paternity leaves are much lesser as compared to Maternity.

7) Most importantly how to self-care

Men, in today's generation, are also trying to become nurturers in an attempt to reinvent themselves and become relevant hence the call of inclusive policy and support is required.

Many companies have already considered taking the idea of gender out of parenting policies and offering non-gender specific terms, equal benefits, and policies and calling them parental leave policies. Below are a few inclusions to support the new Father

1. Dad-Centric group - The internal group can plan dad-centric activities and programs, and host a new Father Series by bringing all employees for a discussion about balancing work and life responsibilities and connecting with plans
2. Inclusive Parental classes - Prenatal classes need to focus on parents as an individual need because each parent holds a separate role in their child's life, expectant mothers and fathers may seek different answers to their parenting questions. Lack of attention to a new father's needs can have ripple effects that impact the whole family — in the short run and later.
3. Equal parental leave - Generally Father has to return to work early and will consume annual leave to support the newborn or partner or self-care
4. Mental health and wellbeing support - New fathers should be openly encouraged to utilize any relevant benefits such as employee assistance programs (EAPs), counseling services, and access to mental health and wellbeing apps, and reassured that using these will not impact their career progression.
5. Encourage open discussion - New Fathers experience superior mental health when they receive social support, and facilitating supportive interactions with coworkers before and after birth is critical.?
6. Parenting apps - Workplace parenting apps where parents can access expert advice, therapy, and resources can be a great support system for new parents coping with the pressures of parenthoodWhile the list can be long and it might take some time to get incorporated, Follow the below link on new-dad tips for advice on everything from how dads can help during labor to father-baby bonding.Rock at being a first-time dad | Smart Parenting | SMA Baby