A New Dad's Guide To Expecting
Being pregnant for the first time is exciting for any couple. But it can be nerve-wracking too. There’s a lot of support for moms-to-be, but most dads-to-be don’t know what to expect! The Doctors are in and they’re here to help!
Noah, 26, confesses that he’s perplexed by his twenty-four-year-old wife, Hillary’s, erratic mood swings. Dr. Lisa explains that a hormonal storm rages during pregnancy and advises Noah to be supportive as he can and understand that even Hillary doesn’t comprehend some of her own mood swings!
Blake, 37, is concerned about the logistics of labor for his thirty-six-year-old wife, Nancy. How long will they have to get to the hospital? When should they go? What role should he expect to play during delivery? Should he bank their baby’s cord blood? Should they circumcise him?
Dr. Sears runs the nervous dads-to-be through their paces in his daddy boot camp in an effort to boost their confidence and sooth their fears. He teaches them how to hold and swaddle an infant, how to change a diaper, give a bath and soothe a crying baby. Dr. Sears acknowledges that new fathers often feel powerless when it comes to feeding and soothing a fussy infant and think that mom is the only source of comfort. However, this is actually a time when dads can really shine. They can help their wives by taking care of the household, arranging meals and feathering the nest.
Furthermore, “It’s important to get to know your baby,” Dr. Sears says. “The better you know him or her, the easier things will be.” He emphasizes that new dads will hold their babies and do things differently than their partners, and that’s OK; dads need to find their own rhythm and methods. Blake and Noah graduated daddy boot camp with flying colors and are excited to take ownership of their roles as husbands and fathers!
Dr. Sears’ 25 Things That Every Dad Should Know:
- Real dads change diapers
- You’re a key player on the birth team
- You and your baby will need some Super Glue
- Your baby needs your little finger.
- Your baby needs your help throughout the hospital stay
- You’ll have to make a decision about circumcision
- You are part of the breastfeeding team
- You can ace Baby 101
- You can raise your baby (almost) for free
- You can learn to speak Baby
- Some babies need more
- Grandma can be your best friend
- You can keep a wireless connection to your baby from work
- You have to help keep the nest clean
- You can have a rewarding career as Mr. Mom
- Dual careers are a dual challenge
- You can have all the free time you want
- You have a new playmate
- You can help Mom beat postpartum depression
- You, too, can sleep like a baby
- Oh yeah – Mom needs sleep, too
- Sex WILL happen again someday
- A good dad remembers he’s a husband too
- You can ace Doctoring 101
- You’ll want to play with your grandchildren someday
Ask the Doctors
Are soy products on your dinner table? Soy contains phytoestrogens, which mimic the hormone estrogen. Jana from Corona, California, is concerned that soy might affect her boys’ growth and development. Dr. Sears reassures Jana that the boys will be fine as long as she gives them soy in moderation. He recommends she check the labels to make sure that soy is non-GMO, which means that it is not genetically modified.
Lacey from Greenville, South Carolina, e-mails to say that she and her husband have three children and are finished having kids. She wonders what her birth control options are. Dr. Lisa cautions Lacey against tubal ligation and suggests either an IUD or a vasectomy for Lacey’s husband.
And, what should you do if your child knocks out a permanent tooth? Dr. Sears instructs, “Attempt to re-implant the tooth into the socket with gentle pressure and call your doctor immediately.”
Then, Melissa, 18, suffers from a painful gastrointestinal ailment and hopes to help others by sharing her story on a talk show. The Doctors and Make-A-Wish Foundation join forces to make Melissa’s dream a reality!
For more information about the products mentioned on this show, please go to Related Resources
Sign Up for The Doctors Newsletter| Show Page |Talk About the Show!
OAD 10/22/08
