What to Know About Preparing for Fatherhood

Questions? The dads of the Internet have answers.

What to Know About Preparing for Fatherhood

Father and young son both with mustaches

Becoming a parent is just about the most life-changing experience anyone can go through. While dads don't experience the joys of pregnancy, they still have plenty of major life changes to get ready for.

To keep your nerves in check before the big day, these tips from the dads of the internet provide what you need to know about preparing for fatherhood.

Changing Table Mats Are a Necessity. Puppy Pads Work in a Pinch.

Self-Care Looks a Little Different After Having Kids

When you have a newborn, make time for your own weekly selfcare routine as well. For example you should eat, sleep, and/or shower at least once a week. #newdad #dadjokes #parenting #parentingtips #Parenting101
— MF DAD (@mf_zoom_us) February 25, 2022

Having Towels Around Is Never Not Helpful

New Babies Put Your Entire Life Into Perspective

Coming home to my wife & daughter always makes my day better. Feeling pressure of the world & being lost they are my light #life #newdad
— James Santana (@Vegalawless1226) March 8, 2022

Wearing Your Baby Is a Boss Move on So Many Levels

If You Don’t Want To Learn to Swaddle, There’s an Alternative That Works Just as Well

Zip up swaddles are game changers!! #NewDad #FirstChild
— Clint Stoerner (@ClintStoerner) March 5, 2022

The Parenting Books Never Mention That Baby Heads Are Weapons of Mass Destruction

As a New Dad, Becoming a Poop Scientist Is Entirely Normal

Nothing like being a 1st time parent to get you so vested in the color/appearance of someone else’s poop #parenting #firsttimer #newDad #fatherhood
— I Pronounce The ‘L’ in salmon (@IamMrWalls) March 5, 2022

Preparation Is Overrated

If You Think You’ve Been in a Messy Relationship, Just Wait

Nothing like putting clean laundry in the laundry basket only to find baby poop smeared on basket #NewParent
— matt walsh (@mouth_walsh) March 5, 2022

Babies Will Spit on Your Expectations. Give Up on Them Now. (The Expectations, Not the Baby.)

Preparing for Fatherhood Means Learning to Watch Netflix 10 Minutes at a Time

As a new dad, I've been watching movies and tv shows in 5-15 minute increments. It certainly increases the suspense of a movie, watching it across 2 weeks #NewDad
— Matt Collins-Jones | MCJ (@D365Geek) March 7, 2022

Lead by Example

Stealth Poops Are a Thing

Advice: never change a diaper right after a poop; chances are you're changing a diaper mid-poop and you just don't know it yet. #parentingtips #dadjokes #newdad #parenting101
— MF DAD (@mf_zoom_us) March 4, 2022

Check In on Your Partner, and Check In on Yourself While You’re at It

Master the Art of Opening Jars With One Hand

A couple of observations as a #NewFather:https://t.co/q2aFdr0cgV do EVERYTHING with one hand https://t.co/bHAIZF5gBn can create a sleep schedule…REALLY!?!? 3. As a man, it doesn’t matter how much you contribute, it’s still not more than the mother #Fatherhood #AidenLouis pic.twitter.com/A0OAfNYcg2
— Matt Houston (@mrmatthouston) February 20, 2022

A Soothing Spotify Playlist Works Wonders

Stock up on Bottles. Doesn’t Matter What Kind.

Stroller has cup holders! #ReadyForFatherhood pic.twitter.com/SRlq5RcXqe
— Quentin, pronounced Quentin. (@qmtablit) March 26, 2017

If You Like to Hang Out in Parked Cars, You’re Ahead of the Curve

A pretty important part of being a dad is waiting in the car.#DadTip
— Doctor Jaime to you (@Treestand_tweet) June 18, 2021

There’s a Technique to Not Getting Peed On

Maintain a Healthy Sense of Humor

If you’re tired of always filling bottles, this is the move#dadtip pic.twitter.com/uhwgrIslQI
— Adam Zaranko (@AdamZaranko) November 25, 2020

Change Diaper First, Chat Later.

This Pro Tip Will Probably Come Back to Haunt You

Always offer to watch your kids during nap time.#dadtip
— Faber (@dfaber84) May 24, 2018

Take All Parenting Advice With a Grain of Salt. (Or the Entire Jar)

Dark Humor at the Ob/Gyn Is Ill-Advised

Don’t make any jokes at the OBGYN…. honestly don’t even breath wrong #dadtip
— Dave? (@dapperdave21) July 15, 2021

There Really Is No Way to Avoid the Stench of Diapers Entirely

Bringing a Blanket in the Car Is Highly Recommended

Parenthood = Driving around until your baby falls asleep, then you park up, lock the doors and use the opportunity to have a sleep yourself! #TrueStory #GoodNap #DadTip
— Jonathan Andrew Hume (@MrHume) September 26, 2020

Parenting Rules Are More Like Guidelines

Sometimes, Dads Have to Take One for the Team

One if the things they don't tell you when you're a dad of small children: it's your job to eat the ends of the loaf of bread. #DadTip. Hope you enjoy crust!
— David Bjarnason (@OuterField) February 14, 2020

Babies Come With Perks

Planning Meals in Bulk Is a Sanity Saver

#dadtip Pre-make pancake or crepe batter and store it in the fridge. Breakfast easy mode.
— daniel (@dbchhbr) October 20, 2020

Words Uttered on Two Hours of Sleep Don’t Count

'Dad Bods' Are Welcome. Encouraged, Even

Preparing for Fatherhood Can Come In Many Forms

I just saw a dude cradling a subway sandwich like a baby #readyforfatherhood
— Sav (@slutasaurus21) January 6, 2015

New Dads Can’t Really Stock up on Sleep, but It Doesn’t Hurt to Try

Practice Makes Perfect

Changed my first three diapers tonight.
I'm #practicallyaPRO and #readyforfatherhood
— Vince Corcoran (@_vince_c_) July 25, 2012

The Time for Household Maintenance Is Before the Baby Arrives

At This Point, Googling Is an Essential Parenting Tool

They say you should “sleep when your baby sleeps” but then when are you supposed to “google how to be a parent”!? #newdad #dadjokes #dadlife #parenting #parentingtips #Parenting101
— MF DAD (@mf_zoom_us) February 27, 2022

The Small Moments Are Bigger Than They Seem. Treasure Them.

Couch Selection Is a Matter of Utmost Importance

#newdad Trick: Pick your couch for its sleepability for the first few years and its size for family cuddles later on. Buy duvet of according size to accompany.
— Old Dad; New Tricks (@OldDadTricks) February 27, 2022

When You’re a New Parent, Survival Is an Indicator of Success.

When Prepping to Become a Dad, Don’t Be Scared.

I’m here to tell you: be nervous, sure. Be apprehensive, and plan everything. Sure

Do not be scared.

Being a parent is hands down one of the best things that has happened to me. #confidence #newdad #parenting
— Jack Mason (@Jack_Mason4) March 2, 2022

Fatherhood Is Hard. Venting Is Encouraged.

If AC/DC Soothes Your Six-Week-Old, No Judgment Here

I figured out last night that “Blowin’ In the Wind” is a more soothing lullaby for my son than “Twinkle Twinkle”. He woke up at midnight and Dylan soothed his soul back to sleep! #dadtip
— David Homan, MD (@heartdoc45) May 17, 2018

Laugh Crying Happens to the Best of Us. Just Go With It.

If You Think You’re the King of Self-Sabotage, Just Wait Until You Meet You 2.0

My one-month old plays this really fun game where she rips her pacifier out of her mouth and then cries until I put it back. Like I said, really fun. #newdad #dadjokes #parenting
— MF DAD (@mf_zoom_us) February 23, 2022

Just Be Yourself! Only, Well, Better.

Newborns Are Basically Just Feeding, Sleeping, Pooping Machines

As far as my infant daughter is concerned, breakfast is one of the top 10 most important meals of the day #dadjokes #parenting #newdad
— MF DAD (@mf_zoom_us) February 23, 2022

Part of Preparing for Fatherhood Is Taking Care of Yourself

Supporting a Newborn’s Head Is Harder Than It First Appears

Me predicting which way my newborn’s head will flail #newdad #parenting #newborn pic.twitter.com/CcEq9cAc1p
— MF DAD (@mf_zoom_us) February 26, 2022