Father’s Day is the perfect time to celebrate dads, especially new and soon-to-be ones. 
Those early weeks with a newborn can feel like a whirlwind, but your role as Dad is huge. Even the smallest things you do can make mum’s day easier and baby’s world even brighter. Here are some gentle ideas you can try. Nothing fancy, just real-life ways to help, connect, and enjoy these early days.
Bonding with Your Baby
- Skin-to-skin cuddles – the simplest way to soothe and connect.
- Talk, sing or read aloud – your baby loves your voice (yes, even off-key!).
- Get hands-on – nappy changes and dressing are perfect for one-on-one moments. It’s a great way to bond with your baby and give mum a break.
- Make bath time your thing – many babies love the warm water and your voice. Bath time can be a lovely, calm routine for you both, and wrapping baby up in a hooded towel afterwards is the perfect ending.
Supporting Mum in the Postnatal Phase
- Practical help – cook, clean, run errands, keep her water glass full. Breastfeeding mums get seriously hungry and thirsty.
- Emotional presence – listen without fixing and tell her she’s doing brilliantly.
- Protect her rest – take shifts so she can sleep and recover, or simply have a quiet cuppa.
- Manage visitors – it’s lovely to have friends and family pop by, but only when mum’s ready. You can be the one to gently manage timing so visits stay short and sweet.
Creating a Shared Routine
- Divide and conquer – share the load in a way that works for both of you. Even if you’re not feeding, you can change nappies, soothe, or pass baby to mum. It’s tiring, but these are moments you’ll remember.
- Communicate often – even about the small stuff.
- Celebrate little wins – a calm cuddle, a finished laundry load, a baby burp at the right time.
- Go for a walk together (or just you and baby) – fresh air is magic for everyone. A comfy baby carrier means your hands are free and baby is happy snuggled up close to you.
And honestly, the list could go on… every family finds their own little routines, and every dad has their own special way of helping and bonding. What matters most is showing up, every day, in your own way.
This Father’s Day, we see you. Here’s to the dads who rock the baby carrier, make bath time fun, read bedtime stories, and keep mum’s cuppa hot. You make a world of difference every single day.
And don’t forget to look after yourself too, Dad. Because when you’re well, your family feels it too.
Happy Father’s Day – you’ve got this, and we’ve got your back.
Team Breastmates xx