by Rick Robinson

Created on: July 28, 2009   Last Updated: August 01, 2009

Becoming a father will be one of the most fulfilling times of your life. You are flooded with emotions from anxiety to pride. I've even felt emotions I never knew existed. Here are a few tips that new fathers should know before the baby comes home.

#6. HELP MOM

This is more important than I can stress. Not for her sake but for your own. Help with anything that you can find that she may have to do. Her job is difficult but you need to share the load. I promise, your life will be a whole lot easier if you follow this one simple rule.

#5. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE NURSERY

After the last nine months of people telling me I'll never sleep again, my wife and I decided to take advantage of the nursery at the hospital. This guaranteed my wife that she could get her rest, but dads need rest too. It's highly recommended, because frankly at that point you don't know if you have a sleeping or screaming baby to bring home.

#4. YOU WILL LEARN ON THE FLY

Don't be scared or anxious about not knowing what to do. Does anyone really every know besides what their in-laws have told them? It's okay to take advice from friends and family but they have no idea what lies ahead. Every baby is different and this is where the beauty of becoming a father really accelerates. You will know your child better than anyone in the world. It is a constant learning process every second of the day. Oh, and by the way, you don't feel like your learning to do anything, you just do the task at hand because you have to.

#3. NEW CLOTHES ARE POINTLESS

After you bring home baby and you settle in, there is one thing every father should know. It's okay to spoil your child to a point, but grandparents, friends, and family do this for you in the beginning. If this isn't the case then just know that a baby only wears half of their clothes once and the other half none. They grow too fast so don't waste money or time looking for good deals. I swear, babies grow faster than weeds. Note: Fathers, when dressing your baby, dress them cuter than what you think you should. It's never a bad thing to show you can take care of the child just as well as mom.

#2. BE PREPARED: YOUR BABY'S POOP STILL SMELLS BAD

Yep, that's right! Regardless of what you hear even though she's yours, her poop still smells bad. It never gets easier, but you have to deal with it. This goes back to #4, just do it. Actually, in the last 11 months I think it's become worse! Don't worry though, it's only 18 years until you don't have to deal with the smell anymore.

#1. EVERYONE WILL SAY YOUR BABY IS CUTE

The first year you take baby out in public it becomes some sort of a sideshow. People will stop you and goo-goo over your baby for no apparent reason. Everyone will say how cute your little one is and I'm sure most mean it. However, you will attain a "cute baby radar" so fast you will know who's truthful and who's not. If you come across the latter, then don't lose it, just smile and say thanks as you curse them under your breath. It will happen, and when it does just remember that everyone has an opinion, it just isn't always right.

These aren't all the tips that father's should know, but these are some that I have found will definitely hit you head on. Take things in stride, love your child and help the mother of the child. This is a joint venture and the baby needs both parents for love and support.

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