Fathers and Parenting: For New-Borns

 The foundation of healthy parenting is when the mother and father contribute to it, equally.    

Once the pregnancy test kit results into a positive, fathers may start to feel overwhelmed and nine months are not enough to prepare the father for how the future unfolds. Often and due to various reasons, fathers shy away from taking up baby care responsibilities or do not get time to spend time with their child, which potentially harms the father-child relationship in the future.    

It is alright to feel lost, scared or disconnected with your child, but taking on the baby care duties is a bridge to building that bond. 

Hence, we have illustrated a few ways how fathers can be hands-on:  

  

1. Daily Care & Tasks  

To get more hands-on, you need to learn and contribute towards-dressing, settling, playing, bathing and nappy changing. These menial tasks not only help to build confidence, but also give you one-on-one time with the child. It provides for a building block towards a strong relationship with your child. Also, mom gets time to herself.  

  

2. Talk  

Yes! Talk to your baby, just like you would talk to your partner or a friend, talking helps in the baby's comprehension and initiation towards learning the language. It also enables them to talk back, in whatever way they can, initially, that helps in developing their vocal cords. Whether the talks are, “Let’s clean you up”, “You need to sleep now, you're getting tired”, or reading books, singing songs or telling them a story- it is going to help strengthen the father-child bond. 

  

3. One-on-one Time  

Apart from the daily tasks with your baby, ensure to give proper one-on-one time with your child. It helps in understanding your baby better and vice-versa. Meanwhile, the mother can meet her friends, go to a spa, sleep, whatever she wishes to do. It will make for a well-rested mother, and father-child bonding time. A win-win! Time flies, in the blink of an eye and these memories will stay ingrained and special to you always, so make sure you make the most of this one-on-one time. 

  

4. Ask for Help and Take Help  

You need not feel awkward or petty when you ask for help. It is natural for you to feel frazzled while taking care of a baby. If your family or friends offer a helping hand, accept it if you need to. While fathers must be hands-on, they need to be relaxed enough to put that much energy. It can be as simple as asking your family or friends, who might be coming over to get extra diapers or bread, they would be more than happy to help.  

  

5. Mother-Father Relationship  

While we talk about having equal parts in parenting, it is important to remember that you are partners in life and your child is the symbol of love. Making time for yourself and the mother is extremely important. Making time leads to having good communication, that leads to mutual understanding and comprehension. The erratic sleep schedules, soiled clothes, constant cleaning and sanitisation, and so much more- it can tire an individual. Some ways to feel special can be, a date night at home, or candlelight dinner at home or even a simple meal of devouring instant noodles in your balcony, may ease the process. Only healthy parents can nurture healthy babies.  

 
Most importantly, fathers, enjoy the whole process! Words fall short to explain the beautiful journey of raising children, and though these instances might be similar to all parents, they are still intimate to every parent. 

For maternity blogs week by week and more about parenting and pregnancy tips check the maternity blogs.

Pregnancy & Workouts

We know of the numerous health benefits that exercise gives our mental and physical well-being. But, is it beneficial for pregnant women to exercise? Let’s have a chat on Pregnancy and Workouts, the A-Z of it.  

 

 

Working out can have benefits like: 

 

• Reduced backaches, constipation, bloating and swelling 

• Mood and energy level boosting 

• Better sleep 

• Keeping excess weight gain at bay, and 

• Improving muscle tone, strength and endurance 

 

 

 

Although exercise during pregnancy is beneficial for both mother and baby, always get an OK from your concerned doctor before starting or continuing your exercise regime. The reason being, every pregnancy is different, and there may be health risks that make the mother and baby vulnerable to complications. 

 

Walking, swimming and water workouts, riding a stationary bike, low-impact aerobics classes and strength training, are some of the exercises that are safe to carry out during pregnancy. In this time and age, there are specialised routines designed for pregnant women, so do what best suits you. 

 

A total of 30 minutes on most days is a healthy routine to derive its advantages. If you were into fitness before pregnancy, there is a good chance that the transition will be easy. But, if you are new into fitness, it is advised to build up the pace slowly and work youir way up. When you’re doing physical activity, remember to warm up, stretch and cool down and drink lots of water. 

 

Also, monitor your body closely; stop your activity and call your provider if you have any of these signs or symptoms: 

 

• Bleeding from the vagina or fluid leaking from the vagina 

• Chest pain, fast heartbeat or trouble breathing 

• Feeling dizzy or faint 

• Headache 

• Muscle weakness, difficulty walking or pain or swelling in your lower legs 

• Regular, painful contractions 

  

 

  

While you start working out, getting into a healthy exercise routine, it’s hard to maintain consistency and stay motivated. In that case, first, start small. You needn’t buy a membership to fancy gyms or invest in workout clothes. A walk in the neighbourhood or to the kiranawala is good enough. It will instil motivation as you set and achieve short goals.  

 

Secondly, find a partner. Who better than a buddy who pushes you to stay motivated? In this case, you can involve your entire family! Getting healthy together, because the little one, once born, is bound to keep everyone on their toes. 

 

The last option- you can join a class. There are prenatal yoga classes and exercises scheduled by fitness centres that will help you keep up with your routine. The community of women will give you a push. Physical activity is bound to help you cope with the physical and mental changes your body is going through. It can also help build stamina for what’s to come ahead.  

 

While women immerse themselves into looking after the well-being of their child, they often forget to take care of themselves, thinking it is ‘vanity’. Exercising can be a boost in confidence laced with uncountable benefits that will make moms feel empowered. Along with that, it will give mothers a chance to tune in with themselves.  

 

So, if you’re a family member reading this blog; do encourage the mother to indulge in physical activity, approved by a doctor, that will lead to a healthy mom and child  inside and out.