Today I have two classes full of new dads to teach all about breastfeeding and new baby care. I have the moms too of course, but I just wanted to highlight dads today because so many of them diligently come to class to learn #allthethings about new babies and how to care for everyone once they come home from the hospital.

What I often find is that new dads are trying to do EVERYTHING once they bring their new baby home, and new moms are often expecting so much out of them that both parents end up feeling stressed and often disappointed in what gets done. Our modern expectations of fathers have gone up exponentially, and now new dads or partners are trying to juggle the needs of both mom and baby/babies, and do it largely without much insight or direction since everything is new for them as well.

Postpartum doulas can make a huge difference here. Doulas can offer dads and partners some direction on how to care for mom, baby, and some practical things around the home to make the best use of time for connection and bonding. They can also provide new dads a BREAK so that they don't have to be "on" all the time. Having a doula there for a new dad means there are reinforcements to fill any gaps that are created by all this new responsibility.

Dads can tap out and get a doula to fill in for many different needs, knowing their family will be in great hands while they step out for a run, dip out to the gym, or just escape to the store for a snack or adult beverage. And some dads just need to sleep, knowing that someone well trained and experienced will be there to hold up the care game they have been so delicately balancing on their own.