"When mum gets up in the middle of the night, you get up." One dad's very real advice for new fathers.

Last Month was Breastfeeding Awareness Month. So I figured I’d drop some knowledge on my fellow dads and soon-to-be dads.

Here’s what it looks like for the first few weeks or months after your child is born:

 

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A post shared by Muhammed Nitoto (@chroniclesofdaddy) on Sep 5, 2019 at 11:09am PDT

Yup, if mum breastfeeds they pretty much are tucked like this and at times you’ll wonder, “What is there for me to do?”

Here’s my top five tips for any dad after your child is born:

1. For night feedings, when mum wakes up in the middle of the night, you get up and ask if she needs any help or water. The truth is most of the time she will say no, but just the fact that you offered will go far.

2. Ask mum if she can pump and then pick one feeding that you will always do. Mum will take on almost everything and will burn herself out if you let her. At times you may have to force her to rest without worrying about the baby. This is an easy way to do that without a fight.

 

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A post shared by Muhammed Nitoto (@chroniclesofdaddy) on Jun 18, 2019 at 11:53am PDT

3. Don’t put a time limit on how long mum breastfeeds the baby. It’s not just about feeding your child, it’s about them bonding as well. I know everyone has a different length of time they will breastfeed and as a dad it’s hard to fully understand. Do not, I repeat DO NOT, try and rush this process – it’s not our place and it’s not safe. You will open yourself up to a fight you can’t win.

4. Be patient. I know as a dad the first few weeks we are equally excited and yet not as important yet. Your time will come faster than you know. Babies grow fast and the stronger and bigger they get, the more Daddy Time will be coming your way.

We speak to Luke Benedictus, co-author of The Father Hood about paternity leave and why it’s beneficial. Post continues below.

5. Paternity leave! If you have it TAKE IT. The early stages of a child’s life are not just for mums to enjoy… you can always make money, but there are no instant replays in life. It doesn’t make you more of a man to not take the leave. It’s equally as important that you as a dad get to be a part of the early development of your child.

This post was republished with full permission.

LA-based ‘dad-vocate’ Muhammed Nitoto started the Instagram account Chronicles of Daddy as a first-time parent when “everything was new to me,” he shares. You can follow Chronicles of Daddy on Instagram.

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