When I was a new dad many years ago and my wife went out with her friends for an evening without endless crying, feedings, and more poop than she cared to look at. It was also helpful to have an evening away from the newborn as well.  Someone would inevitably chime in with, “Ah, doing a little babysitting eh?”. Well, no, this is my child, do you not remember? They are my responsibility too. Believe it or not, men know how to take care of the children.

Here is my best advice for new dads out there when you are watching the newborn.

• Feed the baby
• Re-diaper the baby
• Swaddle the baby
• Talk to the baby like a normal person
• Let baby sleep

If you’ve done all these things and the baby is crying, won’t go to sleep, and there is no immediate danger, then you did your job as a Dad. When your wife gets home, you can tell her everything was perfect.