Becoming a new dad can be a daunting experience. It’s normal to find yourself wondering how to be the best at it that you can be.

Many new dads find themselves going over all of the things that could possibly go wrong. Will my child be healthy? Will they be good in school? What if a natural disaster strikes? Will their marriage ultimately end in divorce and how will it affect the child? All of these fears are completely normal and very common in new fathers.

To help you better prepare for being the best dad that you can be, here are some great tips.

Stop Overthinking!

The first step is to avoid overthinking the entire process! Don’t assume that perfection is possible or that there is one right way to be a dad. The truth is that being a good dad isn’t all about never putting on a diaper backwards, or being able to achieve the perfect swaddle.  

Fatherhood is all about giving the most amount of love and guidance to your child as you can. Being a good dad means being involved as much as possible and taking the time to improve wherever you can.

Worry less about what a perfect dad is, and worry more about simply focusing on providing stability and love.

Take Your Baby Where You Go

A lot of dads assume that once they have a baby that their lives have to stop. They may stop going to certain places they used to go, or being as social. However, the truth is that you can still enjoy being social and going out places when you’re a parent.

It’s all a matter of taking your baby with you. Babies are incredibly portable and surprisingly adaptable. As long as you keep your baby fed, warm, and safe, you should be able to take them along with you to all kinds of places that are a part of your regular routine.  

Help With Feedings

Many dads allow themselves to be excluded from helping feed the baby, especially if the baby is breastfed. However, the truth is that they’re doing themselves a great disservice. Helping feed your child can be one of the best bonding experiences that you can have as a parent.

Discuss with your partner how you can get involved with feedings to feel like you’re more involved.

There’s No Such Thing As Too Much Affection

There are some myths out there that suggest holding your baby too much may lead to them feeling spoiled. However, the truth is that there is no such thing as too much affection.

Each sign of affection and love that you give your child will encourage them to thrive.