🗓️ The major milestones of expectant and new fatherhood

Step by step

1. 1. What to prepare

   Attend appointments with consent, plan transport and work arrangements, and learn everyday care skills.

2. 2. What to check

   After birth, share care and review support needs. Ask about mental health or bonding difficulties without treating them as a failure.

3. 3. In Ireland

   Register with a GP for the HSE Maternity and Infant Care Scheme and confirm your maternity-unit contact and postnatal follow-up. Public health nurses support infant care; do not assume every private service is covered.

4. 4. In Ireland

   Plan two consecutive weeks of paternity leave within the first 26 weeks after birth or adoption. Paternity Benefit has separate PRSI eligibility and is available to eligible same-sex couples; employer salary top-up is separate. Confirm notice and other parent’s-leave entitlements before applying.

Same topic

• 🎒 Packing the nappy bag for an outing
• 🚗 Installing a car seat correctly
• 🌍 Out and about with baby: handling the outside world
• 🎁 The baby registry