New Checklist of 'Daddy Duties' Supports Dads-to-Be and Delights Moms

Every minute more than 250 dads are born(1), often as bewildered and confused as their newborn. In fact, experts agree it's natural for men to approach fatherhood with a little apprehension. Men typically have less experience babysitting than women and as a result, the majority of new fathers' first encounter with swaddling, bottle preparation, burping, or a dirty diaper is with their first-born child. That's why Nestle Nutrition, makers of GOOD START infant formula, and Armin Brott, best selling author of the Expectant Father, are teaming up to offer encouragement and practical tips for new dads.

"Today's dads-to-be are a whole new breed," says Brott, a.k.a. "Mr. Dad," and father of three daughters. "They really want to be involved in pregnancy and infant care, and they also want to be a strong partner for mom."

To celebrate and support the vital role dads play in their children's lives this Father's Day, verybestbaby.com, Nestle's comprehensive online resource for expecting and new parents, invites expecting moms and dads to explore the site's new resources, which offer dads ideas on how they can become more actively involved from Day One. With features including a Daddy Checklist developed by Armin Brott, the site's free resources offer insightful, effective and engaging suggestions on how dad can ease mom's worries and become more hands-on during pregnancy and with their newborn. One new resource is a "Top 10" checklist penned by Brott based on his extensive experience coaching dads through fatherhood. Topping the list are insightful tips like:

* Be an active participant. Go to all of your wife's OB visits, hear your baby's heartbeat, watch him squirm around in the ultrasound. Take a childbirth prep course and commit to being with your partner throughout the whole labor and delivery. Bring a stopwatch with you to the hospital to time contractions. Guys who get involved early on and stay that way right to the end have been shown to be as connected with their babies as their expectant wives are. * Plan ahead. Who's taking time off from work after the baby comes and for how long? Do you have a birth plan with preferences for labor and delivery options? What are the benefits of breastfeeding and how can you offer your wife encouragement? Have these discussions now. Trying to fit them in between contractions is too late. * Think about money. Now's a good time to rewrite your will (or write one in the first place), buy life insurance, and even start a college savings plan. It may seem a little early, but take advantage of the pre-baby calm. Otherwise, you may put these things off for years.

Since your wife will have so much on her mind, Brott highlights that one easy way for dad to help when getting ready to leave the hospital is to be the one to remember to ask hospital staff for a complimentary baby gift bag such as the new 2007 NESTLE GOOD START Limited Edition Backpack. It is filled with valuable information about infant care and nutrition, special gifts including a changing pad, plush baby blanket, instructional DVD to help parents through baby's first days, and is handy for organizing and safekeeping everyday baby essentials. In addition, the GOOD START Backpack contains a 12 oz sample of Nestle's newest infant formula, GOOD START NATURAL CULTURES(TM) which has beneficial cultures to support a healthy immune system. Parents will appreciate that the high quality black canvas backpack can be worn by mom or dad without embarrassment.

"Every day I hear from men who are thrilled about their impending fatherhood, but who are also a little worried and afraid about their changing role within the family," says Brott. "They are moving outside of their comfort zone at first and sometimes just need a little guidance on how to contribute; that's why smart planning and practical strategies are so important, and a prominent feature on http://www.verybestbaby.com/."

(1) U.S. Census Bureau About Nestle Nutrition

Nestle Nutrition, part of Nestle S.A., the world's largest food company, is dedicated to infant, healthcare, and performance nutrition and weight management. With 140 years of global food experience that began with the creation of the world's first commercial infant food, Nestle is a leader in worldwide food and nutrition research. Nestle Nutrition offers the very best baby Resource Center, a program that supports expecting and new parents in the U.S. with expert advice on pregnancy, infant care, and nutrition. For more information, consumers can visit http://www.verybestbaby.com/.

Media Contact: Lisa Ruiz-Rogers lisa.rogers@mslpr.com 323.866.6059 Nestle Nutrition

CONTACT: Lisa Ruiz-Rogers, +1-323-866-6059, or lisa.rogers@mslpr.com,
for Nestle Nutrition

Web site: http://www.verybestbaby.com/