{"id":27327,"date":"2023-06-16T07:30:32","date_gmt":"2023-06-16T07:30:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/?p=27327"},"modified":"2024-03-06T22:40:55","modified_gmt":"2024-03-06T22:40:55","slug":"daddy-101-class-guides-first-time-fathers-before-during-and-after-childbirth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/daddy-101-class-guides-first-time-fathers-before-during-and-after-childbirth\/","title":{"rendered":"Daddy 101 class guides first-time fathers before, during and after childbirth","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

Gone are the days of dads pacing the hospital hallway, waiting to hear their baby has arrived. While they can\u2019t take on the job of labor, there\u2019s plenty they can do before, during and after to be a supportive partner and prepared father.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s not a division of jobs anymore,\u201d says Brian Barbero, RN, labor and delivery emergency nurse at MultiCare Deaconess Hospital.<\/a> \u201cYou are one unit and have to look after these babies together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Barbero is the lead instructor of Deaconess\u2019 Daddy 101 class \u2014 an intensive crash course that prepares first-time dads on everything from changing a diaper, swaddling and birth plans to supporting their partner during labor, spotting postpartum depression and managing stress.<\/p>\n

Most important, though: Barbero wants new fathers walking into the nursery with confidence.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to give first-time dads the tools and confidence they need to be successful with mom and baby in those critical first few months,\u201d he says. \u201cWe talk about the practical things and all the fun stuff. But we also dive into the hard things and those you may not expect.\u201d<\/p>\n

Parenting is stressful, but with a good foundation Barbero believes first-time fathers can hit the ground running.<\/p>\n

Start with the basics<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cSometimes we have dads who\u2019ve never seen or had any exposure to kids, labor or pregnancy, and now they\u2019re jumping in the deep end,\u201d Barbero says. \u201cThe class is built to be an open forum, very hands-on, and give them lots of opportunities to ask questions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dads work with baby manikins and practice the basics: holding and burping the baby, supporting their neck, changing a diaper, and bottle feeding.<\/p>\n

Many first-time dads think they\u2019re going to hurt their babies, he says. Newborns are built to last, though, so he encourages dads to get in there and take some of that workload off their partner.<\/p>\n

Once his students show confidence with the basics, Barbero moves on to the bigger lessons.<\/p>\n

Support during labor<\/h2>\n

One of the most important things dads can do as the due date nears is make sure they\u2019re on the same page as their partner, Barbero says. Discuss what to pack in the hospital bag, how to prepare for an at-home birth and what decisions you\u2019re comfortable with in the event of an emergency.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen [mom] gets into labor, allow her focus on that and nothing else, and be her advocate with the care team,\u201d he says. \u201cYour role is to be their biggest supporter \u2026 you have to know what and how to communicate her needs.\u201d<\/p>\n

When everyone\u2019s on the same page, it helps ensure a positive experience and reduces the risk of birth trauma for moms, Barbero adds.<\/p>\n

First-time dads should also remember that sometimes labor doesn\u2019t go as planned, and their reaction in the moment is critical. Barbero himself had two of his children spend time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). He uses that experience to show his students that even the best-laid plans can go awry, and gives tips on how to remain calm.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one expects to be there, and we talk about what to expect,\u201d he says. \u201cIt can be really scary for parents. I tell them it\u2019s OK to ask questions and touch the baby, even when they\u2019re hooked up to all those wires.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a team effort<\/h2>\n

Whether your partner has an easy labor or your baby spends time in the NICU, Barbero stresses the importance of remaining a team. First-time parents often don\u2019t know what to expect, so supporting each other is key, he adds.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe talk right off the bat about how sleep loss is very real. You\u2019re going to be really stressed out those first few days and weeks back home,\u201d he says. \u201cDon\u2019t let your partner over-exhaust or overextend themselves. Make sure you show up, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not uncommon for new mothers to think they have to do it all and not ask for help, Barbero says. That\u2019s where dad can step up \u2014 take turns napping and watch out for one another\u2019s mental health.<\/p>\n

He also covers stress management strategies and how to recognize postpartum depression warning signs.<\/p>\n

\u201cPostpartum is huge, and isn\u2019t just the few days right after birth \u2014 it\u2019s four to six weeks after you get out of the hospital,\u201d Barbero says. \u201cSometimes it\u2019s your job to initiate the conversation that moms may not be recognizing. I harp on them to be respectful, though. It\u2019s her time to heal and process.\u201d<\/p>\n

With new stress levels and sleep loss, he also reminds dads that accidents can happen. He teaches them to know the risks, like SIDS, head trauma or choking hazards, and how to avoid them.<\/p>\n

Get help when you need it<\/h2>\n

While these dads are leaps ahead of others in skills and confidence, Barbero encourages them to keep learning and ask for help when they need it.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeeking education and staying informed is so important to being a parent. You need to stay on top of what\u2019s current,\u201d he says. \u201cA lot of the skills you can find in books and on the internet, but knowing when to ask for help is important, and you have to tap into your network.\u201d<\/p>\n

Learn more and sign up for the next Daddy 101 course<\/a> before spots fill up.<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Gone are the days of dads pacing the hospital hallway, waiting to hear their baby has arrived. While they can\u2019t take on the job of labor, there\u2019s plenty they can do before, during and after to be a supportive partner and prepared father. \u201cThere\u2019s not a division of jobs anymore,\u201d says Brian Barbero, RN, labor […]<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"author":115,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[59,71],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27327","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-events","category-mens-health"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nDaddy 101 class guides first-time fathers - MultiCare Vitals<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Deaconess Hospital\u2019s Daddy 101 class prepares first-time dads, from how to change a diaper to how to support their partner during labor.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/daddy-101-class-guides-first-time-fathers-before-during-and-after-childbirth\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Daddy 101 class guides first-time fathers - 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