Top 10 Things the Expectant Mom Can Do For the Expectant Dad

By Laura Sussely-Pope

When a couple is expecting, it is usually the mom-to-be who gets all the attention. Of course, it is also mom-to-be who get all the heartburn, stretch marks and other lovely aspects of being pregnant. Nevertheless, dad-to-be certainly plays an important part during these 9 months. He is there to be supportive every step of the way. At least, he should be!

So what can mom do for dad to show that she appreciates him and make him feel more involved while the baby is still cooking? Try these ideas:

1.  Initiate intimate contact. Many times, men are concerned that being intimate with their pregnant partners will be harmful to the baby or that you may not be interested.  Show him that you want to be close to him by initiating intimacy.

2.  Keep him apprised of all the details involving your pregnancy. If he can’t make a doctor’s appointment, let him know everything that happened. Before you go, ask him if he has any questions or concerns he would like you to ask.

3.  Frame a picture of an ultrasound for him to take to work and put on his desk. If he works “in the field”, have a magnet or sticker made that he can put in his car, lunch pail or whatever form may work.

4.  Find a book for “Daddy” and encourage him to read it to the baby regularly. It can become “their” book when baby is born.

5.  Ask him to participate in creating your baby registry. Sure, he likely won’t know the difference between a “onesie” and a “bootie”, but he will appreciate being included. And you should include a diaper bag for Dad on that registry, too. There are some very cool ones available!

6.  Books about fatherhood. There are several good ones -- we like - The Expectant Father, by Armin Brott and Jennifer Ash and The Joy of Fatherhood, by Marcus Jacob Goldman, M.D. but there are many more to explore.

7.  A personal gift certificate to a place where dad can get something he can pick out himself and enjoy before the tiny tot arrives. These kinds of gifts are always popular and easy! Whether it's to go play golf, hang with the guys, go fishing, or just hang around the house watching SportsCenter, you can't miss. While we're all for dad getting out and about, once baby comes, his golf outings could be replaced with baby duty. Just saying...

8.  Get him “congratulatory items”. You can have frames, t-shirts or cards customized to say, "Daddy," "Daddy's little angel," or "Congrats, Daddy." Plenty of mall kiosks have t-shirts that say, "New Daddy." This kind of gift can go a long way.

9.  Get dad a rocker. Have him pick out a rocking chair that he will enjoy when he is on night duty with baby. This is a great way to encourage daddy to help out, but also to make him feel that he is a very necessary part of the parenting process.

10.  Create a special piece of jewelry such as cufflinks with pictures of a sonogram or an engraved saying or your baby's vital statistics. He will wear these proudly and often!

What’s made it to your list? As Valentine’s Day comes closer, think of all the fun things you CAN do!