As soon as our families and friends found out my wife and I were expecting two bundles of joy, the planning of baby showers began. Throughout all of the showers (we had four!), we were blessed with various gifts that were great not only for our daughters, but also for the new mom and new dad. 

A few specifically, though, stuck out as ones that would really help me in my newfound fatherhood.

An Awesome Book
Books that help new dads prep for their babies are a great gift idea; the books are useful before the baby arrives, as well as afterwards as a point of reference. When we were waiting for our twins to be born, we were given one in particular that really helped us get ready to have two new little ones in our house.

An Extra Loud Alarm Clock
I got this gift at one of our first showers, and it was supposed to simulate a baby crying in the night. Since I’m such a deep sleeper, I wasn’t sure it would work on me. However, once the alarm went off, I shot right out of bed. This was an extremely beneficial new dad gift during the early weeks and months that the girls were not sleeping through the night.

A Mini Video Camera

We got this gift at a shower, and we used it to chronicle my wife’s pregnancy, as well as our time in the hospital and all of the special moments since. What we love about our specific camera is that it’s small enough to fit in our pockets, and it can be quickly plugged into a computer to upload videos. What’s even better is that, as a new dad, all I want to do is share these great memories with our daughters throughout the years with friends and family, and now, we can do that.

The Gift of Advice
I think this can be said for parents of multiples or singletons: You have to find what works for your family. Regardless of what all the “expert” books say, you have to find a system that is right for your house. Factors like the number of hours worked by the parent(s), available babysitters, and other daily tasks can impact whether or not your baby or babies need to be on a set schedule. Some helpful new dad advice I received from other parents of multiples included feeding both babies at night, even when only one of them woke up originally. In terms of toys and swings and walkers, we didn’t necessarily need two of every item. Instead, we were advised to wait to see if both babies enjoyed the toy before buying two. Practical advice from a been-there-done-that dad is one of the best new dad gifts you can give.

Photo by Aleksandra Rupar on Unsplash

We had three pregnancy announcements to break the news to our families, and we opted to announce it each time in a fun and different way!

When trying to decide how to tell your parents you’re pregnant, you may feel overwhelmed with all the ways you could surprise them. It was fun to have separate reveals, starting with my dad. At the time, my father lived in California, so we simply video-chatted him and said, “We have something to tell you!” He guessed right away. It was awesome to announce it to him through video chat, because we got to see his expression!

My mother lives about four hours from us, so we asked if she’d like to meet us halfway for dinner. We arrived at the restaurant before she did, and I clued the waitress in on our plan. The waitress rolled my mom’s silverware up in a white onesie instead of a napkin. When my mom arrived, I offered her the ‘best seat’ at the table. We waited on pins and needles for our appetizers to arrive, and when the food came, she unrolled her fork and knife…only to discover the baby outfit!  She was so surprised and shocked that she just held it up, staring at it. Finally, I said, “Mom! I’m pregnant!” and she started to cry, overjoyed at the thought of our new addition to the family.

My in-laws live nearby, so we went over for dinner. My husband brought in his mother’s ‘special gift’ -- a huge (and I do mean HUGE!) box, all wrapped up with pretty paper and bows. My mother-in-law kept saying, “What is this? It’s not a holiday or my birthday!” When she opened it up, a bunch of pink and blue balloons came flying out! Like my mother, she was so surprised that she was rendered speechless. After my husband finally explained the news, she said, “Wait! I have a gift for you, too!” and ran upstairs. She brought down a teddy bear and explained that she’d been saving it for the very day we would make our pregnancy announcement!  

Two years later, the teddy bear is one of Henry’s favorite toys. I love watching him play with it, as it always reminds me of the creative ways we announced our happy news.

Photo by Mayur Gala on Unsplash

Pregnancy is an amazing time for a new mom, but help is always welcome. While you may be the one carrying the new baby, it turns out there’s plenty your partner can do to support you during your pregnancy and labor. If you’re preparing for a baby, be sure to pass these tips along to dad.

Class time
When preparing for baby, it’s important for new dads to complete a birthing class with their partner, usually during the third trimester. There, you’ll both learn the breathing techniques new moms use during labor. Your partner will also learn about the changes women experience during pregnancy, as well as what to expect once your new baby is born.  

Packing tips
During those last few weeks when you’re preparing for your baby, your partner should have a hospital bag at the ready, too. Here’s what every new dad should pack:

• Change of clothes and toiletries
  
  
• Watch with a second hand for timing contractions
  
  
• Camera and charger, plus a charger for your phone
  
  
• Massage oils to help ease your back pain
  
  
• An iPod or CDs, to play soothing music in the delivery room
  
  
• Snacks, plus money for the vending machine
  
  
• Health insurance card if necessary, pre-registration forms from the hospital, plus a file folder for important paperwork

The real deal
It’s helpful if your partner can help you distinguish between the early stages of real labor and confusing false alarms called Braxton-Hicks contractions, which are muscle contractions that occur irregularly and are felt only in the abdomen. Give him this tip: Braxton-Hicks contractions often slow down or disappear when you switch positions or walk around, while true contractions are felt in the abdomen and lower back, last 30 seconds or longer, and continue to strengthen as time progresses.

Support system
Being a great new dad starts in the delivery room, as new moms need support and encouragement. Your partner can help you get through your contractions using the breathing techniques and pain relief tips you both learned during childbirth class, such as walking around, massaging your lower back, or placing pillows under your back.

Remember that it’s not just your partner who can help you through your pregnancy. Don’t hesitate to enlist the help of other family members or friends. The happier you are throughout your pregnancy and labor, the better it will be for your new baby.