What are ways a partner can help before the baby comes?

You asked and you shall now receive. It’s only fair for us to share all of this stored up knowledge about having a baby and what is going on with your body during those nine (really ten) months. We now will answer, in a very public forum, all of those burning questions about having a baby. Each Monday, we will tackle a commonly-asked-question from the point of view of an expectant parent. Chiming in to give feedback will be three women who have been there and done that: an expert (you know someone who does this for a living), a mom from our community (for the “best” friend advice you need) and a babybites’ team member (someone who will promise to give you the REAL deal and no fluff). Earmark, share and add your own input to today’s question; it’s good karma.

What are ways a partner can help before the baby comes?

Expert: Renee Sullivan

It’s been said it takes two to tango – and expectant moms are most appreciative when their partners hear the music. There are so many wonderful ways for partners to prepare for the journey to parenthood, whether it be going to childbirth classes, painting the nursery, or reading up on some parenting literature. One of my faves? A wonderful entertaining book – ABCS for Expectant Dads – organized alphabetically with short paragraphs from everything from lamaze to epidural. Informative, funny, and to the point – score!

Mom: Angela Cierpicki

I recommend getting your partner to attend a “parenting 101” type class with you so that you can learn how to change diapers, bathe, swaddle and clothe a baby. Encourage your partner to read some good parenting books – I bought my husband several books by Armin Brott, aka “Mr Dad”, which are especially designed for fathers to be. If planning to breastfeed, educate your partner on why this is important to you, the benefits of breastfeeding and remind them that their support is paramount. If your partner enjoys cooking, have them cook and freeze a bunch of meals that you can use once the baby arrives.

Mommybites’ team: Laura Deutsch

Lots of foot massages, satisfy our food cravings even if it means going out late at night for something, pretend to be interested when we do our baby registry, and tell us our butts don’t look fat. (Ladies – copy and paste this and send it to your partner!)

About our team:

Renee Sullivan

Renee Sullivan, parent coach and Mommybites support group director, works with moms each week to create their own personal parenting plan that is right for them, while making sure that each mom gets the support, resources, and community they need for their parenting journey. Drawing from her experience as an birth coach and educator, she guides moms – new, seasoned and expectant through the never – ending array of decisions that come with having a child. Before joining Mommybites, she narrowly escaped the trenches of Corporate America where she was a Senior Project Manager for The New York Times, Morgan Stanley, and Pfizer. She lives in New York City and is the mom of one happy kindergartener.

Angela Cierpicki

Angela is taking a break from her previous career as a Process Improvement Specialist working in the Healthcare industry. Angela’s current “boss” is her beautiful 15 month old son, Ethan.

Laura Deutsch

Laura Deutsch is the original founder and creator of Mommybites. Since first starting Mommybites (formerly known as babybites) in 2006 by handing out post cards to fellow moms on the streets of Manhattan, Laura has continued to use her business savvy, dedication and creativity to cultivate and grow Mommybites in its flagship city of Manhattan. Prior to founding Mommybites, Laura worked as a middle school math teacher at The Dwight School in Manhattan. Laura holds her BA from Binghamton University and her MA in Early Childhood Education from Hunter College. She currently resides in Summit, NJ, with her husband, Brian, daughter, Ava, and son, Jacob.