5 Tips to Help New Dads Feel More Confident

I once received a letter from a new father who wrote, "I haven't had much experience with infants and I want to be involved in my daughter's care, but every time I try to pick her up, she starts to fret. How can I feel more competent?" This sentiment is a common refrain with first-time fathers. Some worry they'll do the wrong thing, drop the baby, or even inadvertently hurt their newborns.

Few things can make a man feel less like a man than feeling incompetent. And nothing can make a man feel more incompetent than a fussy baby. Fortunately, it's pretty easy to overcome these feelings. Here are five easy tips to help you allay new-dad fears.