From holding your baby for the first time, to changing a nappy for the first time, fatherhood firsts or Dad Firsts are always special and memorable. Fatherhood can be an emotional rollercoaster, but sitting back and taking note of the small things is usually what makes the journey worthwhile. 

To grasp the range of feelings, thoughts and emotions that dads go through with a newborn, we reached out to some of india’s top influencers and asked them how these moments shaped their fatherhood journey. 

Holding The Child for the First Time 

Shashank Shetty, a father influencer, described the moment as something that still gives him goosebumps. “The feeling was a mix of immense pride, overwhelming happiness, and a profound sense of responsibility,” he said. “I felt determined to be the best husband to my wife and the best father to my baby, especially during the challenging post-pregnancy phase for my wife.”

You can check out his Instagram page here. 

Manish Sethi, a fashion and fitness enthusiast, had a short but profound recollection of the first time he held his son. “It felt like my whole world was in my hand,” he said, describing the unforgettable moment. 

Check out his page here. 

Changing Nappies for the First Time 

Usually a daunting task, Peter Koti didn’t feel like it was a ‘fun.’ “I was not sure of what to do and didn't realise how sensitive babies' skin is. Surprisingly, I had no problem with the smell.” he said. 

Shashank said he doesn’t really recall the first time too vividly, because it was such a natural thing to do. “I've changed his nappy more than a hundred times now, “ he said. 

“I give him a bath every single day without fail and put him to sleep every night after our storytelling and cuddles. These routines have helped us develop a very close bond,” he added. 

 Cutting Your Child’s Nails

Cutting nails of a child, when they have tiny fingers needs precision and caution. Most dads agreed that seeing how small and delicate their nails are, made theme extra careful. 

Describing the first time attempting it, Shashank said, “The first time I did it, I had shivers because I knew I couldn't afford to make even the slightest mistake. The thought of hurting him made my heart skip a beat.”

Raising a Child With Special Needs

Bringin up a child with special needs can be a different experience altogether. 

“Raising a child with special needs has taught me that strength, patience, and unconditional love can overcome any challenge. Embrace every moment, for our children show us the true meaning of resilience and joy,” reminisced Aditya Tiwari. He added that spending time attending to his son and catering to his needs, helped them develop a special bond. 

You can check out Aditya’s profile here. 

The First Vacation to the First Time They Said “Papa”

While its impossible to collate and revisit all dad firsts, everyone we spoke to highlighted some other firsts that they remember to date. 

Here are those Fatherhood firsts:

• First time when he was not well

• First vacation with him

• His first walk

• The first time when he called me papa

• Leaving my son at the day care for the first time

• My son's first day at school

Fatherhood is a special journey, filled with ups and downs, and many myriad emotions. Take a moment this Father’s Day to sit and look back at the years gone by!