Cover
Praise from the Participant Dads
About the Author
Title Page
Dedication
Acknowledgements
The Rainbow
Prologue
Section A: BECOMING DAD
1. Introduction
Why I wrote the book
2. I Want to Become a Dad…But Am I Ready?
My first paternal pangs
When to be a father
It’s written in the stars
The clock is ticking…
Things to remember
Section B: WHAT A DAD NEEDS TO DO DURING PREGNANCY
3. You’re Expecting! What Next?
Deciding the doctor and hospital
Make your home baby-friendly
Scans and more…
Stem cell banking
Things to remember
4. Giving Emotional Support
She needs some tender, loving, care
Say goodbye to your social life
Put wife before work
Help her through morning sickness
Indulge her food cravings
Pick up household chores
Protect mother and baby
Sometimes you have to sit back and let go!
Plan a baby moon
Section C: THE BIRTH
5. Labour Day
Early birds
The final countdown
There will be blood!
So far but so good
Watch out for the waterworks
6. Managing Birth Complications
Testing times ahead
Managing the crowd
Is your hospital a safe zone?
Things to remember
Section D: THE HOMECOMING
7. Announcing the Baby
Finally, Tanish and mom re-unite
Bringing home the new addition
The longest car journey ever!
Of pujas and photo ops
Say hello to the virtual world
8. Caution! Speed Bumps Ahead
Getting down to business
At times, formula milk is inevitable
Don’t over-react
A separation
Things to remember
9. The Name Game
The key players
Google thy name
The perfect fit
Better late than never
Things to remember
10. Up All Night
Say goodbye to sleep
Adjusting to new sleeping patterns
Working your magic
Co-sleeping with your child
Things to remember
11. For Crying Out Loud!
Take a chill pill
The language of tears
Swaddling
To do or not to do?
Things to remember
12. Relax, Little One
Time to bond
The first bath
Safety rules to remember
Massaging your baby
13. I’m Always Anxious
Feeding woes
Obsessing over your baby
Finding a good paediatrician
Ruling out anomalies
Things to remember
Section E: NEW MOM, NEW DAD
14. Emotional Atyachaar
Mind your language
Everyone has an opinion!
Screen your visitors
Internal atyachaar
Am I fat?
Managing grandparents
More people equals more love
Things to remember
15. Pati, Patni or Woh! The Nanny Diaries…
Yes, we need help
The nanny from hell
Agencies or personal reccos?
Give the nanny a break
Things to remember
16. Getting Life Back on Track
No time for love
Reconnecting with your wife
Things to remember
17. It’s Not All About the Money, Honey!
Office politics before the baby
Is she worried about her job?
Maternity leave is over. What next?
Not without my baby
Things to remember
18. Daddy Needs Bonding Time too
Crazy, stupid, love
The new-age dad
Take note, corporate dads
Are you a Helicopter Dad?
Too close for comfort
Paternity leave in India
Things to remember
Section F: SIX MONTHS AND OVER
19. An Accident at Every Corner
Have a safety plan
Baby-proofing the house
Blink and miss!
The technological solution
Guard against secondary drowning
Things to remember
20. Separation Anxiety
What does this mean?
Our tryst with separation anxiety
How should I prepare my baby?
Things to remember
An Expert Take—by Dr. Seema Hingorrany
Things to remember
21. My Baby is the Boss of Me
Am I spoiling my child?
The early symptoms
Even parents get homework
Don’t let the tears fool you
It’s time for some tough love
Teaching habits
Things to remember
22. Keeping the Little One Entertained
Games galore
Gadget geeks start early
With a little help from friends
Malls vs open spaces
When to allow TV
Encourage physical activities
Power of age-old story telling
Things to remember
23. Protecting Your Baby
Don’t panic! This too shall pass
Are vaccines optional?
Common illnesses
Things to remember
An Expert Take—by Dr. Santanu Sen
An Expert Take—by Dr. Ninad Hebbalkar
24. Teaching Your Tot
School’s in session
Do we need one?
How to find the perfect school
The first day
Things to remember
Section G: A CASE FOR INVOLVED FATHERHOOD
25. Fatherhood across Generations
The way we were
My daddy strongest
Things I’d do differently
26. A Letter to My Son
If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again
Fathers Interviewed for the Book
Copyright
